Shooting Tragedy in Colorado

The one thing that all the campus shootings have in common is that the perpetrators have been marginalized students. They’ve been different--and often ridiculed, teased, harassed and even assaulted by other students.

I believe the solution lies in educating students to respect differences. Teaching tolerance of others should be the responsibility of both parents and educators.

“Grading Our Schools,” a recent report endorsed by the National Education Assn., the American Federation of Teachers and the National Assn. of School Psychologists, graded 42 of the nation’s largest public school districts on how well they protect gay and lesbian students and teachers from harassment and discrimination. The average grade was a D.

Only eight districts received an A. They had policies that:

* Protect students and teachers from harassment and discrimination.

* Provide staff with workshops and training.

* Support curriculum that includes information about the lives and contributions of gay and lesbian people.

* Allow and support information [about] Gay / Straight Alliances and other clubs addressing homophobia and heterosexism in school.

Yes, it is important to keep guns out of the hands of youth too young to understand the consequences of their actions, but it is just as important to teach them respect for diversity.

EDIE BROWN, Executive Director, Gay & Lesbian Community Center, Ventura