Crimson Newsmagazine Presents
October 20, 2021
LGBTQIA+ students at Paso Robles High School host a historic event to address past issues and propose a safer, more inclusive future
The movement for change, for better support for LGBTQIA+ youth started with an act of hatred but will end with progress
On Sept. 15, 2021, a pride flag was stolen and defecated on PRHS students. After two weeks, the district released a statement condemning the acts of hatred, yet constraining the size of the Pride flag to 2x2 at the same time. Under this regulation, the 3x5 flag that was defiled was also prohibited to hang on the walls of teachers’ classrooms. It felt like an attack on student identities. Rather than protecting them after a hate crime, the district was censoring them.
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After much discussion and debate, Equality Club President, Eve Barajas, and teacher Geoffrey Land assembled a group of students in order to create a forum that would bring students of the LGBTQIA+ community into the spotlight, instead of the corner where many felt they were pushed. Even after an expansion of the flag restriction to 2 x 3 feet, the need for queer voices was essential in the minds of everyone close to the issues and students victimized.
The Oct. 20, 2021, Coming Out Against Hate forum featured 14 students from the LGBTQIA+ community, attracted 350 supporters, and was the premier event of its kind at any county high school. The speakers shared their experiences on campus and declared that queer students at PRHS have historically felt unsupported by their peers, teachers, and administrators.
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LBTGQIA+ students would come out again, but this time it wouldn’t be to define themselves, it would be to defend themselves- to come out against hate. As the speakers, dancers, and singers, prepared for a night of perspective, news outlets such as KSBY, Pink News, Yahoo, The Washington Times, The Gay Times, etc. highlighted the injustice and praised the students for speaking out.
The night ended with a five-point call to action in which Barajas, as one of two MCs at the event, specifically addressed what LGBTQ+ students wanted to see from the district: change. What started with a goal of bringing awareness to PRHS and the community, continued with an invitation by Superintendent Curt Dubost where both sides would discuss steps to better support the queer community. As of press time, a board of queer students is meeting with administrators almost every other week to implement new policies and standards in PRJUSD.
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CONTINUE COMING OUT BY CLICKING A PHOTO
HISTORY OF HATE
A look into the treatment and experience of LGBTQ+ students in the past — and the PRHS breaking point on Sept. 15. |
A FORUM FOR CHANGE
Coverage of the actual Coming Out Against Hate event, highlighting speakers, supporters, and the message. |
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