Customer Reviews

When the Drama Club is Not Enough: Lessons from the Safe Schools Program for Gay and Lesbian Students

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Jeff Perrotti and Kim Westheimer's book is important on at least two levels: 1. as a resource for those working to make schools safe for and respectful toward both queer and straight youth and teachers, and 2. as a piece of the history of social justice work in Massachusetts. I wish it had been available when I was a queer kid in the MA public school system! I would have found a useful how-to organizing guide, as well as a piece of myself and my history and future, in its pages. Throughout the book are clear and practical suggestions for working WITH--not against--communities to increase respect for people with diverse gender identities and sexualities. Perrotti and Westheimer offer analyses of the interactions between sexuality, gender, and race that are both gratifyingly complex and accessible to general readers. For those unconvinced of the need for a climate of respect in the schools, the authors present a strong case for change, as they bring their own experience as organizers, the words of lgbtq and ally youth, and the current sociopolitical climate to bear in the text. In all its richness, the book can be used as a basic consciousness-raising tool in addition to its use as a guide for working on making the schools safe for lgbtq youth. If the book is limited in any way, it's in the fact that so much of the material presented is specifically relevant to Massachusetts. Yet the authors have information, examples, and voices from all over the country, and they are always careful to generalize what they've learned from one instance to application in other places. (Meanwhile, I'm looking forward to reading the results of Dr. Laura Szalacha's further work evaluating the Safe Schools Program for Gay and Lesbian Youth, as mentioned on page 30. Even in another state, the lessons that can be learned from Massachusetts's version of a Safe Schools Program will be useful--beyond the scope of even Perrotti and Westheimer's book.) I wholeheartedly recommend reading this book. Furthermore, I recommend that you use this book. Pass it on to others who can use it. Once you've read it, you can hardly do otherwise.

I know first hand the dedication that these two amazing people have to end descrimination in the public shool system. It's more than dedication to end descrimination, its using their knowledge to spread understanding acceptance and celebration of our uniqueness.

As a student public speaker with Jeff and Kim and as a young person myself, I can attest to the startling yet informative statistics and other realities that this book puts forth. This book gives the teacher, or any caring community member, a general blueprint for a successful movement to create change in your school or neigborhood. It includes helpful tips, resources, historical facts, and the laws pertaining to glbt rights. The book also includes touching stories from the straight from the work Jeff and Kim have done in the Mass. school system.

I feel honored to work with Jeff and Kim. I promise you this book will be a valuable integral part of your path to gain the understanding and encouragement you need to end descrimination.

This book is absolutely invaluable to so many different people...gay,straight,students,teachers,administrators,parents,
school boards,etc...It should be required reading for all teachers so that they can help create an atmosphere condusive to learning for all students. The anecdotes and stories told are poignant and touching.

It is obvious these two writers know their subject intimately well. This book was published ten years ago when the topic of bullying was just beginning to be openly discussed. Jeff and Kim have hit it head-on with practical advice for all of us to have a positive impact on society's children. This book should be in the hands of every parent, coach, teacher, guidance counselor and administrator. It may need to be updated and revised to get the attention it deserves.