Clayton Stover, a 12th-grader at St. Albans High School, overheard derogatory statements for years in the school hallway.
Words like "faggot," "dyke," "That's so gay" and "queer."
"And that's unacceptable," Stover said.
With just a few weeks left in his high school experience, the senior felt the need to do something about it.
On Thursday night, he asked Kanawha County school board members to add sexual orientation to the school system's cultural diversity policy.
Stover quoted research that shows lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students are much more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers.
Many students report that they are verbally and physically harassed or assaulted because of their sexual orientation, or because they are perceived to be gay.
Stover also said many gay and lesbian youth are at risk of dropping out because they feel severe social isolation.
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School board general counsel Jim Withrow said the school system is already revamping its diversity policy. About four months ago, a group of teachers suggested the school board include sexual orientation in the policy, he said.
Board members could vote on the revisions as early as next month, he said.
The article has more details on support from Del. Carrie Webster (D-Kanawha).
Congratulations to Clayton Stover on his brave activism. It's great to hear the school board is moving in the right direction.
