Planned gay vigil sparks protest in Holmen

[Shana A]

Planned gay vigil sparks protest in Holmen
By JO ANNE KILLEEN | Lee Newspapers

http://www.lacrossetribune.com/articles/2008/03/15/news/z02vigil0315.txt
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HOLMEN, Wis. — A national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender vigil isn't something students in the Holmen School District should be participating in during school hours, three people told the Holmen School Board earlier this week.

"I don't feel it has its place in the school and would like to have the school district reconsider this if it has already been decided to let students participate," Steve Johnston said.
District Administrator Fred Frick said Monday's meeting was the first he had heard about the April 25 Day of Silence that is sponsored by the Gay/ Lesbian/Straight Education Network to protest name-calling, bullying and harassment toward the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

[Shana A]

Planned gay vigil sparks protest
   
http://www.holmencourier.com/articles/2008/03/16/news/01hsb.txt

By JO ANNE KILLEEN | Staff writer
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It wasn't on the agenda, but homosexuality occupied 15 minutes of the Holmen School Board time at its meeting Monday night. Three audience members spoke to the board opposing the district allowing students to have a gay/lesbian vigil April 25.

The organization the speakers referred to, called the Gay/Lesbian/Straight Education Network, is advocating a countrywide vigil in protest against violence toward the gay/lesbian community. This national effort is in reaction to the Feb. 12 shooting at a California school of a 15-year-old gay student that left him brain dead. Another student allegedly shot him because of his expressions of his sexual orientation.