Chicago Public Schools CEO Jean-Claude Brizard sat down with LGBT leaders Nov. 21 to discuss issues facing LGBT youth in school.
The hour-long meeting was the first of what Brizard said would be other "listening tours" with the community.
The result of the meeting may be trainings on LGBT issues for CPS principals and teachers.
The meeting convened parents, principals, CPS officials and local LGBT advocates from About Face Theatre and the Illinois Safe Schools Alliance. Tom Tunney, 44th Ward Alderman moderated the discussion. Mona Noriega, direction of the Chicago Commission on Human Relations and Chicago's outgoing LGBT Liaison Bill Greaves were also present.
"My goal is really to engage in a dialogue of conversation, not a speech" said Brizard at the start of the meeting.
Thus far, Brizard said, anti-bullying efforts have not focused on LGBT students specifically. He would like to change that, he said.
Shannon Sullivan, executive director of the Illinois Safe Schools Alliance said that studies show that LGBT youth in schools often face "adverse and hostile climates."
"When oppression is going on we see that there are unhealthy coping mechanisms," she said.
Leaders challenged Brizard to expand efforts to include communities outside of Lakeview, a community that was heavily represented by meeting attendees.
Noriega encouraged Brizard to discuss LGBT issues at his other "listening tours" with communities around the city.
"I would ask that you not silo the issue and just ask the question," Noriega said.
Greaves pressed Brizard to consider the impact that school consolidation has on young LGBT people who end up being relocated when "under-performing" schools are closed and then reopened.
"Kids who have been relatively safe… you may be gay but you're our gay kid and we've grown up with you, suddenly there is not that protection there."
Attendees agreed that change in schools throughout the city must be mandated by CPS officials if schools are to follow-through.
The take-away said Brizard was that policies that protect LGBT students in CPS schools are not enough. "Training people to be sensitive is the most important work we can do," he said.
Brizard said he could not get give specifics on when such trainings might be implemented, but he told Windy City Times after the meeting that he would like the trainings to focus on principals and eventually teachers.
Charged with developing such trainings will be Jamika Rose, chief family and community engagement officer for CPS, Brizard said.