'On the cusp of being a safe place': Advocates march to local board meeting
FOWLERVILLE — In response to Fowlerville's recent policy eliminating flags and displays that don't appear "content neutral," members of Stand Against Extremist LivCo (SAGE) held an "Allies for Acceptance" demonstration just before the district's board meeting Tuesday, Aug. 1.
More: ACLU contacted after Fowlerville Schools becomes latest to pass flag, display policy
SAGE is a local group dedicated to "supporting a safe and inclusive community for all people in Livingston County, regardless of individual identity or political affiliation." SAGE is the parent group of Livingston Integrity, the group's "financial vehicle" to fundraise and campaign for qualified candidates.
Content neutral policies, which are becoming more popular statewide, are often viewed as a targeted attack against LGBTQ+ support.
"I think it's not only harmful to the LGBTQ+ community, but also all kids who aren't in athletics, like the theater club, chess club, archery," said Fowlerville High School graduate Kendall Trinka. "All displays other than athletics are completely banned, and it just doesn't make sense. They tried to pass a blanket policy that harms everyone, so they don't have to admit they're trying to target the LGBTQ+ community.
"This community is on the cusp of being a safe place, but it's not quite there yet, and we have to start with the people in power and I think the community will then follow."
The policy limits flags and displays to the American flag, the Michigan flag and the current school flag — plus flags or displays used as part of a temporary unit of study within the approved curriculum, sports tournament displays, accomplishments of a school team and/or athlete, and displays of college, universities or the military that promote future learning.
The revised and amended policy approved July 18 also allows displays that denote a recognition of achievement and are approved by the superintendent and displays representing student organizations/clubs, which may be placed on a 32-square-foot bulletin board.
The demonstration was designed to be family-friendly, with bubbles, music, fun and networking. Members cheered as cars honked to show their support.
"One of my family members identifies in the queer community," said SAGE member Melissa Heinig. "She goes to school here. Her family is very supportive, but then she comes here and there's no safe space and somebody said to me, 'Well, at least they removed everything. It's not just the rainbow flag.'
"But they removed everything else to get to the rainbow flag. They're going to enforce the rainbow flag — they're not necessarily going to enforce everything else. ... I just like to remind them that removing the flag, none of it's going to erase the queer community."
Following the demonstration, SAGE members marched to the Fowlerville Media Center with their flags, signs and rainbow garb, straight into the meeting of the Fowlerville Community Schools Board of Education.
Many members from SAGE spoke during public comment. Fowlerville teachers also came forward to voice their disappointment, including high school teacher Betsy Ording and elementary school teacher Jamie Brooks.
"Have you guys thought about being in our shoes?" Brooks asked. "What we have to go through daily? What we have to go through with our children? Have you guys ever thought about that? What if your kids turn out to be like this? What are you going to do? ... There is something wrong here."
Ording referenced nine cases of cyberbullying she alleged followed the passing of the policy. Superintendent Matt Stuard said parents of the students that could be identified were contacted about their child's behavior.
"This policy gives the green light for bullying," Ording said. "It has already caused an increase in bullying. This bullying included gloating about the passage of this policy. At a recent board meeting, one of you said that LGBTQ+ youth should not need a sign to let them know they're safe because they should feel safe in every classroom.
"It's easy for us to tell students how they feel, but they've told us how they feel. It's not too late to listen to them. Those of us who haven't experienced discrimination, including myself, have a hard time understanding how important a small gesture of acceptance can be. Why wouldn't we just listen to the kids who have stood up in board meetings and told us again and again that these little gestures matter to them?"
Still, others came forward to thank the board and show their appreciation for what they viewed as making a safe and inclusive environment for all children.
"This is a place of neutrality, not a place for all this other hubbub that's going around," said Connie Smith. "It doesn't matter what they do."
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Another community member said he felt SAGE came to disrupt the meeting. He asked the board to focus on education.
One high school girl in support of the policy said bullying has always existed.
"These people here are not banning or stopping your right to like who you like or anything like that," she said. "They're just stopping you from putting a label on your back, almost. When you have something openly doing that, that does give a reason to bully you."
— Contact reporter Patricia Alvord at palvord@livingstondaily.com.
This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: 'On the cusp of being a safe place': Advocates march to local board meeting
