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Creating safer schools

D.C. plans to expand GSAs as students prepare for return to classes

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SMYAL youth say a plan to expand GSAs in D.C. schools is a good idea. (Blade photo by Michael Key)

Administrators within the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) are at the beginning of a long-term initiative to bring about more awareness and acceptance of the LGBT community in area schools.

Through the intended growth of Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs) across the school system, the visibility of LGBT students, families and teachers is expected to grow.

Coming out of the 2010 school year — one tainted by the tragedy of teen suicides as a result of bullying across the country — DCPS administrators felt an increasing need for a formal LGBT outreach program.

In 1998, the Gay-Straight Alliance Network was created to help empower students to unite and fight homophobia in schools. By 2005, the National Association of GSA Networks was formed, with the mission of uniting statewide organizations supporting GSAs and accelerating the growth of the movement nationwide. D.C.-based SMYAL is a member of the association.

Carolyn Laub, founder and executive director of the Gay-Straight Alliance Network, sees tremendous growth in the movement over the past two or three years.

“Year after year there’s just this incredible growth of the GSA movement, nationwide. That growth of the GSA movement is being supported by, fueled by, local and statewide organizations that are supporting the GSA clubs in their region,” she says.

Despite the growth, there are still some great cultural shifts that need to be made in some states for GSAs to take root.

“Depending on what part of the country you are in, there are obstacles that might range from lack of administration support or teacher support in places where there is not employment protection for teachers,” Laub says. “Teachers will be reluctant to become a GSA adviser because they are worried about their own job security. That’s the case in places like Alabama. Teachers are reluctant to stick their necks out and become a GSA adviser.”

DCPS hopes to set an example for how a formal plan within a school system can bring about positive change. With only five or six out of 20 high schools in the District having formal GSAs in place, DCPS staff feels the time is right to expand.

“In the news last year there was a lot of information about kids committing suicide and we just felt that something needed to be done. … The moment was now,” says Diana Bruce, director of health and wellness for DCPS.

The DCPS looks to combat that fear and isolation in its schools through a publicity campaign.

Over the past few months, DCPS has been meeting and consulting regularly with parents, social workers, teachers, openly gay students as well as organizations like SMYAL and The Trevor Project. These individuals and groups formed a steering committee to put together a road map for how the District can be more proactive in putting an end to bullying and bringing about more awareness of the presence of LGBT students. What they have come up with is being referred to as “The LGBTQ Plan.”

The plan targets three groups: LGBT students, family and staff. DCPS staff met with each and conducted listening sessions.

“Not all of our schools are where we want them to be when it comes to welcoming and including LGBTQ students. Additionally, we heard that our staff wants more support around being able to be out, being able to have a picture of their spouse or partner on their desk. Some of our family members who identify as LGBTQ also said that they sometimes felt invisible,” Bruce says.

A key instrument in fulfilling the needs of the three groups is the idea of growing and enriching the role of GSAs in the public school system. The DCPS is essentially making a public statement regarding policies of tolerance and acceptance within schools surrounding the LGBT community.

“One way that we can support schools and staff who want to become advisers for GSAs is for DCPS centrally to communicate our values publicly,” Bruce says.

It’s making small but significant steps. In June, the school system made its first appearance in the Capital Pride parade. And a new Facebook page (facebook.com/dcpslgbtq) has been established. So far, fewer than 100 have “liked” the page, but they’re just starting to get the word out about its existence.

DCPS intends to use the Facebook page to get information out to interested parties. Individuals will be able to find out what schools have GSAs and their upcoming events and programming. While DCPS staff maintains control of the site and prohibits individuals from writing on the page’s wall, they intend to regularly share photos and feedback/suggestions for programming through it. In the long term, DCPS hopes to develop a private Facebook group for GSAs and SMYAL officials to share information among leaders and school administrators.

There are other plans that will be implemented pending funding such as a possible pilot program with 20 schools to study GSA benefits, updating all family-related teaching materials to include LGBT representation and having Trevor Project suicide-prevention material and training in place.

Andrew Barnett, executive director of SMYAL, praised the efforts.

“The Office of Youth Engagement at DCPS is showing great leadership in their work to make the system safer and more affirming for its LGBTQ students and other constituents, and SMYAL has appreciated being a part of the effort,” he says. “We’ve also been very impressed by the way in which Diana Bruce and her team have engaged so many different important stakeholders throughout the process. This critical work addresses one of our core responsibilities as a community: to provide a supportive path to adulthood for all of our young people. We look forward to seeing LGBTQ students have more opportunities to learn and thrive within DCPS as a result of this initiative.”

Louis Josey, 18, graduated last year from D.C.’s Maya Angelou Public Charter School. Josey remembers always being comfortable with his sexuality and came out to his family at 12. Even though he was pretty comfortable with being gay, Josey, who plans to enlist in the Navy, believes a GSA would have helped.

Louis Josey (Blade photo by Michael Key)

“There’s always a need for some structure,” he says. “Even though we [other fellow LGBT students] were working together, it took us to talk to every single teacher and every person on staff to figure out what was necessary in order to get our voices heard. If we would have had some structured group or organization there specifically focused on incorporating everyone into the community then I think it would have been a whole lot easier, it would been a whole lot more participants, and it would have just been easier for us to acclimate into the school.”

Though the plan’s success is yet to be determined, organizers are confident.

“We find it to be so powerful when students have the opportunity to network with each other online,” Laub says.

A bounty of resources are available to those hoping to start a GSA including live-stream online tutorials and national conferences and summits.

“GSA clubs take action to begin to change the school environment and they educate teachers and peers, they work to change policies,” Laub says. “That’s what we focus on in our National Gathering is how to help GSA clubs when you go back to your home state … here are the concrete things that your GSA clubs can do to take action to make it better for LGBT youth. Not just to create a safe haven within your club, but then to work on changing the school environment.”

 

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Miscellaneous

What it means to be an active ally to your LGBTQ+ co-workers TEST

Five easy tips to help you avoid common risks

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Be sure to install baby gates if you have stairs in your home with young children. (Photo by Kasia Bialasiewicz/Bigstock)

Your home is more than just a place to eat and sleep; it’s your safe haven. As much as you might cherish your home, you should probably also recognize the potential hazards within its familiar walls. Accidents can happen in an instant, yet with a little foresight and some simple adjustments, you can transform your house into a safer haven. 

Accidents can happen anywhere, and with a few simple tweaks, you can lower risks in your space. Below you’ll find five tips for each room in your home to help prevent injuries, falls, and other mishaps. In short, home safety. 

This article was inspired by a shower in a rental we managed that began leaking through the kitchen ceiling below. If only the landlord had installed grab bars, right!? Below, we’ll guide you through the steps to fortify your bathroom, making it a place of relaxation without the fear of slips and falls. Then, we’ll venture into the room where the magic happens, where proper planning can ensure great nights and peaceful mornings. We’ll show you how to prevent accidents while you experiment becoming the next Gordon Ramsey. And we’ll include a few surprising solutions for those other rooms that hold their own unique hazards, offering solutions to safeguard against unexpected mishaps.

Bathroom Safety

Install Grab Bars: Adding grab bars near the shower and toilet can provide essential support for family members of all ages. Not only can they help with getting in and out, but they can help provide stability when washing. Make sure they are securely anchored to the wall.

Non-Slip Mats: Place non-slip mats inside the shower and bathtub to prevent slips. They’re a small investment that can save you from falls and head injuries.

Adjust Water Temperature:  Ensure your hot water is set to a safe temperature to avoid scalding. The hot water heater should be set to around 120°F (49°C)l, the middle setting on many water heater settings. 

Medicine Cabinet Locks: If you have young children, use childproof locks on your medicine cabinet to keep harmful substances out of reach.

Proper Lighting: Ensure there’s adequate lighting in the bathroom to avoid trips and falls during nighttime visits. Nightlights can be a simple and effective solution. 

Bedroom Safety

Clear Pathways: Keep pathways in the bedroom clutter free to prevent tripping. Ensure there’s enough space to move around comfortably, particularly getting around the bed.  Be aware where all furniture is when walking around to avoid stubbed toes, particularly at night.

Secure Rugs: If you have throw rugs, use rug grippers or double-sided tape to keep them from slipping. Loose rugs are a common trip hazard. 

Bed Rails: For anyone at risk of falling out of bed, consider installing bed rails to provide extra support and prevent falls.

Nightstands with Drawers: Opt for nightstands with drawers to keep essential items.  This reduces the need to get out of bed at night, minimizing the risk of falls, as you race to grab what you need and not lose a moment’s rest.

Fire Safety: Install battery-operated smoke detectors in the bedrooms if there are none. Make sure to install them 36 inches away from an air vent or the edge of a ceiling fan.  Also six inches away from the joint between the wall and ceiling.  And test smoke detectors regularly.

Kitchen Safety

Non-Slip Flooring: Choose slip-resistant rugs in the kitchen, especially in areas where spills are common. Mats near the sink and stove can also help and you can often buy them fairly cheaply at Costco.

Childproof Cabinets: If you have little ones, use childproof latches on cabinets and drawers to prevent them from accessing potentially hazardous items.

Anti-tip brackets: Install an anti-tip bracket behind the range. These are often used when children are in the home. Although they are less likely to open the oven door and use it as a step stool to get to the stove-top, adults can also benefit from installing these. 

Adequate Lighting: Proper lighting is crucial in the kitchen to avoid accidents. Under-cabinet lighting can illuminate work areas effectively.

Secure Heavy Items: Ensure heavy pots and pans are stored at waist level to prevent straining or dropping them from high shelves.

Sharp Object Storage: Keep knives and other sharp objects in a secure drawer or block. And handle all sharp items with extreme care, even when washing and drying. These steps reduce the risk of accidental cuts.  

Other Safety Tips

Furniture Anchors: Secure heavy furniture, like bookshelves and dressers, to the wall to prevent tip-overs, especially if you have young children.

Adequate Outlets: Check for damaged outlets and replace them promptly. Avoid overloading circuits with too many devices. Install placeholder plugs in outlets to prevent young curious fingers (or tongues?) from going inside an electrical outlet.

Stair Gates: If your home has stairs, install safety gates at the top and bottom to prevent falls, especially if you have toddlers or pets to keep them off of the stairs when you cannot monitor them.

Emergency Escape Plan: Develop and practice an emergency escape plan with your family, including a designated meeting place outside.

Carbon Monoxide Detector:  If your home burns any fossil fuels for heating or appliances, install carbon monoxide detectors in common areas of your home to detect this odorless gas. The D.C. building codes require this if you use a fireplace or if you have an attached garage. In essence, if there is any potential source of carbon monoxide in the home, be sure to install these detectors.

Remember, a safer home not only prevents accidents but also provides peace of mind for you and your family. Implement these simple tips to create a secure environment in every room of your house.

With these practical tips and a few adjustments, you can significantly reduce the risk of injuries and falls in your home. Enjoy peace of mind in your now much safer haven.

Scott Bloom is owner and senior property manager of Columbia Property Management.

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Celebrity News

Lizzo makes $50K donation to Marsha P. Johnson Institute

Singer is vocal LGBTQ ally

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Lizzo at the 65th Grammy Awards (Screenshot from the Grammy Awards)

When Lizzo sings “If I’m shinin,’ everybody gonna shine,” in her hit song, “Juice,” she means it. Proof of that came this week on Instagram when the LGBTQ ally announced the first winner of her annual Juneteenth Giveback Campaign is the Marsha P. Johnson Institute, a national nonprofit based in Richmond, Calif., dedicated to the protection and defense of Black transgender people. 

And she did so in song: “On the first day of Juneteenth, Lizzo gave to me,” she sang in her video, posted Tuesday, as she revealed her $50,000 gift to MPJI.

“That’s right, we know who Marsha P. Johnson is. We know what Marsha P. Johnson has done for the LGBTQ, emphasis on that ‘T,’ Q community,” said Lizzo to her 13.5 million followers. “Thank you so much to the people at the Marsha P. Johnson Institute. You deserve this, and I hope this helps you so much as you help protect our Black trans family.” 

“What the Marsha P. Johnson Institute does is protects and defends the rights of Black transgender people. They do this by organizing community, advocating for the people, and creating an intentional healing community, developing transformative leadership and promoting collective power,” she said. 

“We are overjoyed for the shoutout from Lizzo today, the generosity of her sharing her platform and the recognition of MPJI and its work,” said Elle Moxley, MPJI’s executive director. “The resources from this campaign will ensure the protection and defense of Black transgender people continue at a time where it is so vitally needed. We are so grateful for the support of Lizzo and her fans.”

As one of Time Magazine’s Persons of the Year for 2019 and a 2023 Grammy winner, Lizzo is more than a pop star but an inspiration to millions of fans for her body-positive attitude, her self-confidence on stage and in her videos, her empowering music and her activism. She’s also the founder of her own clothing line, Yitty. In 2021, she made headlines when she publicly corrected a paparazzo for using “she/her” pronouns and misgendering Demi Levato.

As part of her campaign, now in its 4th year, Lizzo recognizes Black-led grassroots organizations and businesses and encourages her fans to join her in supporting each of the five organizations she highlights this week. Fans who take action by donating are  entered into a drawing for an all-expenses paid trip to see her perform at Fuji Rock in Japan later this year. 

This week’s other nonprofits receiving gifts are: Black Girls Smile, Sphinx Music, the University of Houston and Save Our Sisters United.

Find out more about Lizzo’s 4th annual Juneteenth Giveback Campaign by clicking here.

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Celebrity News

Anne Heche dies after removal from life support

Actress dated Ellen DeGeneres in late 1990s

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(Screenshot/YouTube Inside Edition)

Actress Anne Heche died after she was removed from life support on Sunday, nearly two weeks after her Mini-Cooper crashed through a two-story house in Los Angeles’ Mar Vista neighborhood. Investigators with the Los Angeles Police Department believe she was intoxicated at the time.

She sustained a severe anoxic brain injury along with severe burns and was being treated at the Grossman Burn Center at West Hills Hospital, near Chatsworth in the San Fernando Valley.

The 53-year-old actress who was a star of films like “Donnie Brasco,” the political satire “Wag the Dog” and the 1998 remake of “Psycho,” had been declared legally dead under California law on Friday, however, her family kept her alive long enough to be an organ donor.

In a statement Friday, the LAPD announced that: “As of today, there will be no further investigative efforts made in this case. Any information or records that have been requested prior to this turn of events will still be collected as they arrive as a matter of formalities and included in the overall case. When a person suspected of a crime expires, we do not present for filing consideration.” LAPD detectives had previously made public that investigators into the crash found narcotics in a blood sample taken from Heche.

The actress’s family released a statement on Friday:

“Today we lost a bright light, a kind and most joyful soul, a loving mother, and a loyal friend. Anne will be deeply missed but she lives on through her beautiful sons, her iconic body of work, and her passionate advocacy. Her bravery for always standing in her truth, spreading her message of love and acceptance, will continue to have a lasting impact,” the statement added.

Heche was married to camera operator Coleman Laffoon from 2001 to 2009. The two had a son, Homer, together. She had another son, named Atlas, during a relationship with actor James Tupper, her co-star on the TV series “Men In Trees.”

Laffoon left a moving tribute on an Instagram reel in which he also gave an update on how their 20-year-old son Homer Laffoon is coping with the loss of his mother.

“I loved her and I miss her, and I’m always going to,” he said adding: “Homer is okay. He’s grieving, of course, and it’s rough. It’s really rough, as probably anybody can imagine. But he’s surrounded by family and he’s strong, and he’s gonna be okay.”

“Rest In Peace, Mom, I love you, Homer,” the actor’s 20-year-old son, Homer, said in a statement after Heche was declared legally dead on Friday.“ My brother Atlas and I lost our Mom,” read the statement. “After six days of almost unbelievable emotional swings, I am left with a deep, wordless sadness. Hopefully, my mom is free from pain and beginning to explore what I like to imagine as her eternal freedom. Over those six days, thousands of friends, family, and fans made their hearts known to me. I am grateful for their love, as I am for the support of my Dad, Coley, and my stepmom Alexi who continue to be my rock during this time. Rest In Peace Mom, I love you, Homer.”

Tupper, a Canadian actor who starred alongside Heche in “Men in Trees,” had a 13-year-old son, Atlas, with her. “Love you forever,” Tupper, 57, wrote on his Instagram post’s caption with a broken heart emoji, which shared an image of the actress from Men in Trees.

Between 1997 and 2000, Heche was also in a relationship with talk show host Ellen DeGeneres.

“This is a sad day,” DeGeneres posted on Twitter. “I’m sending Anne’s children, family and friends all of my love.” The year after her break-up with the comedian, in September 2001, Heche recounted in her memoir “Call Me Crazy,” about her lifelong struggles with mental health and a childhood of abuse.

KTLA’s entertainment reporter Sam Rubin noted that over the past two decades, Heche’s career pivoted several times. In 2017, she hosted a weekly radio show on SiriusXM with Jason Ellis called “Love and Heche.”

In 2020, Heche made her way into the podcast world. She launched “Better Together” which she cohosted alongside Heather Duffy Boylston. The show was described as a way to celebrate friendship. 

She also worked in smaller films, on Broadway, and on TV shows. She recently had recurring roles on the network series “Chicago P.D.,” and “All Rise” and was a contestant on “Dancing with the Stars.”

People magazine reported that several of Heche’s acting projects are expected to be released posthumously.

These include “Girl in Room 13,” expected to be released on Lifetime in September, “What Remains,” scheduled to be released in 2023, and HBO Max TV series “The Idol,” created by Abel Tesfaye (The Weeknd) and Euphoria creator Sam Levinson.

In her Instagram post from earlier this year Heche stands between her sons Atlas, 13 and Homer, 20.

From KTLA:

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