Proposal for gay-themed high school is postponed

Designers of a plan to create Chicago's first gay-friendly high school pulled the plug on a watered-down version of the plan Tuesday but vowed to resurrect the idea next year. Some lead members of group proposing the school had thought that the latest version of the proposal -- which deleted all specific references to gay students from the mission statement and changed the school's name -- had been the best way to garner support for the new school. But the group could not agree on the changes. District officials said they looked forward to the group submitting a revised plan next year.
To read The Chicago Sun-Times article, click here.

EARLIER: Organizers behind a plan to develop Chicago's first public high school catering to gay and lesbian students have changed the name and broadened the focus of the school to include all disenfranchised groups of students, according to officials. The school board is expected to vote on the proposal this week. Religious leaders, some gay rights activists and Mayor Richard Daley had expressed concerns that developing the proposed School for Social Justice's Pride Campus would segregate gay youths. If the school is approved, it will be named the Social Justice Solidarity High School when it opens in 2010. To read The Chicago Tribune article, click here.

FROM OCTOBER 2008: The Chicago school board is scheduled to vote on whether to approve the School for Social Justice Pride Campus and other proposed campuses. To read The Chicago Tribune article, click here.
ALSO: A "gay-friendly'' Chicago public high school that will weave gay and lesbian "heroes" into its curriculum was among 20 new school proposals that the district has unveiled. The Pride Campus of Social Justice High School would be open to all students citywide but would provide a safe, "gay-friendly'' atmosphere to combat the high bullying, dropout and depression rate many gay and lesbian students experience nationwide, advocates say. ( Chicago Sun-Times)