Opening Up the Classroom Closet: Responding to the Educational Needs of Gay and Lesbian Youth

Eric Rofes

doi:10.17763/haer.59.4.31183h6345747510

A journal of Harvard Education Publishing Group

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Abstract

Eric Rofes, gay community activist and author, explores the issues surrounding the schools'failure to meet the educational needs of gay and lesbian youth. He argues that there has been an across-the-board denial of the existence of gay and lesbian youth, and that this has taken place because "their voices have been silenced and because adults have not effectively taken up their cause." Rofes goes on to present some promising initiatives that are designed to change the status quo: Project 10 in Los Angeles and the Harvey Milk School in New York City. He concludes by proposing needed changes in U. S. schools if they are to become truly accessible to gay and lesbian youth.