THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

A letter headed "Is OPALGA's commitment to youth a threat or a promise?" given prominent space in the Viewpoints section of the July 19, 2000 Wednesday Journal issued a back-handed attack on the Oak Park Area Lesbian and Gay Association's youth outreach program, PRISM. Saying "I'm not accusing OPALGA of having a hidden agenda" the writer proceeded to issue a "heads up" call that was little more than a thinly veiled attack rampant with anti-gay demagoguery

Community response was swift. The Oak Park Community Relations Commission fired off a letter to WJ, which read in part: "This article rips at the core fabric of our community, one that takes pride in its support of all of its members, including but by no means limited to Oak Park's gay and lesbian residents." Long-time area activist and CRC member Rebekah Levin and Chairman Bob Walsh were among those who thought the item so reprehensible as to require an immediate response. "In that the mission of the CRC includes fostering understanding and appreciation of the diversity of this community, the author's article undermines the efforts of many people within our public and private sectors to make this community welcoming of all its citizens. This community needs to foster dialogue among diverse groups rather than encourage its citizens to treat each other with suspicion based on inflammatory and misleading statements," they wrote.

Ray Johnson and Julie Kreiner, co-chairs of OPALGA are also drafting a response. OPALGA has decided to host an Open House at their offices 1145 Westgate Suite 106 from Noon to 4 p.m., Saturday Sept. 9 for the public to participate in a discussion of their activities. Youth Director Susan Abbott will be on hand to answer questions about PRISM, OPALGA's program for 14- to 17-year olds. The 11-year-old organization decries the "hidden agenda" attack. "All our programs are well publicized and open to the public," said Johnson, "we have a website, and publish two newsletters and a 24-hour helpline—anyone can get information about us at anytime."

The writer of the offending item also leveled an attack at the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network inferring that its website and chapters in 35 states are "influencing" the public elementary and secondary school systems to have students "subjected to potentially harmful material—material that most likely defies their parents' teachings." The writer alleges facts not in evidence, quotes spurious sources, concluding "there is a big difference between curtailing harassment and promoting homosexuality." At press time no one from GLSEN was available for comment.