High school paper appeals to run ad
for gay and lesbian support center

GILROY, CA - The editorial staff of Gilroy High School's student newspaper, The Free Press, wants to run an advertisement for a gay and lesbian student support center. The staff also wants the backing of school trustees, but some are hesitant because they know little about the support center.

``Because someone is gay or lesbian is their business. We have no right to interfere with that,'' Trustee Kim Merrill said. ``But we can't be in the business to promote any lifestyle or imply promotion of a lifestyle if that's what's coming down.''

At issue is an ad for the Billy DeFrank Gay and Lesbian Community Center, which invites students to ``meet and talk with others your age.'' The United Way agency provides support groups, social activities and other services to teen-agers.

The item is expected to come before the board at its next meeting Feb. 25.

Ads for the San Jose center have appeared in the Live Oak High School and Prospect High School newspapers. The Free Press published a similar ad last year, but it drew protests from some students, parents and church leaders.

Senior Laura Gonzalez, Free Press editor-in-chief, said that's one reason she and two other senior editors appealed to trustees Tuesday night for support to run the ad.

The editors want the backing of the trustees before they respond to the center's request to print the ad.

``We respect them, and their opinion is important to us,'' she said. ``We want to go through the proper channels. If we have any more trouble with the public like last time, we want to be able to have them back us up so we can explain why it's important to do this.''

Basil Huffman, Gilroy High's interim principal, said he supports the process the student editors are taking to win approval for the ad, but stopped short of giving permission to run the ad.

Trustee Jane Howard said it is up to families to deal with such issues, but she vowed to look into the center. ``Right now, I'm not real fond of the idea, although I want to do my homework on this,'' she said.

Trustee Richard Rodriguez said he supports running the ad. ``It's something that can be helpful. I know there are a lot of teens who find themselves unsure of their sexuality and because they are unable to find help or talk to people about it, they end up committing suicide,'' he said. ``If running the ad can save one life, it's worth it.''