Windy City Times has learned that Stevenson High School in north suburban Lincolnshire, Ill., whose GSA committee of the school's Diversity Club was the recipient April 22 of the PFLAG Bonnie Larson Youth Scholarship for its efforts in promoting understanding and acceptance of GLBTQ students, returned the scholarship funds to PFLAG May 5.
In a letter faxed to the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network of Chicago (which administers the overall GLSEN scholarships that PFLAG participates in) explaining the decision, the signatories (including Stevenson's principal, Diversity Club sponsor, and Diversity Club officers) reportedly stated that the development of a separate GSA does not fit their philosophy and therefore, the club could not accept the award.
The award was ostensibly intended to assist Stevenson in developing a distinct GSA separate and apart from the Diversity Club.
Stevenson Principal Dan Galloway told Windy City Times April 22 that he did not support the formation of a GSA at his school, stating that Stevenson's philosophy was to create a safe and welcoming environment for all students regardless of ethnicity, race, or sexual/gender orientation without singling out a specific group.
However, Stevenson student Talia Stein, interviewed April 22, disagreed with Galloway's contention that the Diversity Club alone was sufficient to address the needs of the school's GLBTQ staff and students.
Stein told Windy City Times that homophobia remained 'a big problem' at the school and that a separate GSA would, in her opinion, help alleviate the tension.
In a telephone interview, Galloway told Windy City Times last week that the students of the Diversity Committee elected to return the PFLAG award themselves, and informed their faculty advisor, Janet Jesse, and Galloway of their decision.
Quoting from the award rejection letter written by Jesse to GLSEN advising of the scholarship's refusal, Galloway stated that 'the perception that Stevenson needs a GSA was made by [the student who applied for the scholarship] without consulting other Diversity Club members or administration' and that the formation of a GSA would 'undermine Stevenson's view of a unified school community.'
Galloway stated that while students have approached Chris Franken, Stevenson's Director of Student Activities, about forming a GSA, ultimately the proposed GSA's goals were deemed duplicative of efforts already underway by the Diversity Club.
Galloway emphasizes that the Diversity Club includes GLBTQ issues as an important part of their agenda and cites the Diversity Club's upcoming initiative to raise awareness of using homophobic language in school, planned to begin in early June and last through the summer school session. Galloway estimates approximately 2,000 students attend summer school (Stevenson's fall enrollment is approximately 4,300).
GLSEN Chicago co-chair Urzula Urzua was disappointed to hear of Stevenson's decision: 'It's a real statement of (the administration's) lack of understanding for their gay students. GSAs function in schools to raise awareness of GLBTQ students. If a visible club exists, and everyone sees how many GLBTQ and supportive persons exist in their school, it's impossible to say that there are no gay people in school. Really, their actions (by returning the scholarship money) show how desperately a GSA is truly needed at Stevenson.'