New Hope-Solebury School District’s Diversity Committee was named recipient of a $500 grant awarded by New Hope Celebrates (NHC), a lesbian, gay, transgendered or bisexual (LGBT) marketing group in New Hope.
The award was made at a post-Pride fundraiser held at the Raven, Route 179, New Hope, on July 15.
NHC staged a weeklong Pride festival in New Hope and Lambertville in mid-May.
The Diversity Committee of New Hope-Solebury school district is committed to “ensuring student harmony despite ethnic, religious, cultural, gender or preferential differences.”
It deals with issues such as bullying and student harassment. Its role “will be in implementing the building of level task force groups to expand diversity initiatives, including LGBT issues, at the high school,” a spokesman said.
The grant is earmarked for use toward greater sensitivity to the needs of LGBT students at the high school.
The diversity committee is discussing the formation of a school-based committee to address the issue of a possible gay-straight alliance club, known as GSA.
The original GSA was the mission of a straight student who, in 1988, wanted his high school to do more about LGBT bullying and harassment. Now GSAs are certified clubs within over 4,000 high schools nationally.
”We are so pleased by the progress NHS has made this year in becoming more aware of the unique experiences of their LGBT teenage populace,” said Daniel Brooks, founder and executive director of New Hope Celebrates.
”The most moving part of our recent Pride parade, to me,” said Mr. Brooks, “was seeing NHS school board members, teachers and students carrying our giant rainbow flag, leant to us by sister-city Key West, Florida. Dr. Raymond Boccuti, superintendent of New Hope-Solebury school district, lead the group. That cohesiveness from NHS High School sent a message to all of our area teenagers that while they are unique they are treated and supported the same. It was totally inspiring and gave me yet another reason to be proud of New Hope — always a town where there is respect for variance and individuality.”
Dr. Boccuti said he was “honored and delighted” to receive the stipend.
