Coming Out in Support of GLBT Issues
On October 20th, I attended a rally at Pikesville High
School in support of that school's Gay Straight
Alliance's observance of National Coming Out
Month. I stood in awe with colleagues from Equality
Maryland, PFLAG Baltimore and Harford County,
GLAAD, teachers, and parents at the students'
display of enthusiasm and support for their GLBT
classmates. It was quite an inspiring day, and much
credit goes to Reed Shusterman, who is a student
and straight ally at Pikesville, for organizing the
event.
More than 100 students from several area schools,
many of them straight, showed their support for
GLBT classmates by wearing pink and holding signs
with positive messages. Inspiring as it was, this was
not a planned Coming Out Week event but rather a
spontaneous show of support in response to the
display of intolerance and homophobia by WEAA radio
host Duane Johnson and a group of his listeners on
October 17.
During his gospel show on October 16th Mr. Johnson
asked his audience to protest Coming Out Week
events at Pikesville High School. Approximately 15 to
20 people showed up Monday morning with signs
yelling religious and anti-gay slogans using a bullhorn
while students filed into school, many in disbelief.
WEAA is a local National Public Radio station owned
and operated by Morgan State University. I am
pleased to say university officials acted swiftly in
response to the public outcry and removed Mr.
Johnson from the air until his future at WEAA can be
ultimately decided, citing its own policy which
prohibits such activity on the air.
In another fortunate turn of events, representatives
from the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation
(GLAAD) were in Baltimore during this time on an
unrelated visit. They witnessed the events unfold
first-hand and were especially interested in the
media coverage which, unfortunately, included some
outdated and even inflammatory language. GLAAD
has offered support to the GLCCB and our colleagues
to work with local media to improve its knowledge
base and coverage of our community when events
happen.
My sincere thanks to everyone who rallied with the
students, e-mailed, telephoned, wrote letters, or
otherwise got involved to express support. Through
the efforts of the Pikesville students, Equality
Maryland, the community at large, and even Morgan
State's own GLBT student group, what began as a
homophobic act was overwhelmingly challenged and
turned into an opportunity to educate and galvanize
support for GLBT issues in Baltimore.
Craig Wiley,
Executive Director
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