U of S Continues their role in "Breaking the Silence"

Posted February 19, 1999


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - February 18, 1999
99-02-09-ED

U of S Continues Their Role in
?Breaking the Silence?

On March 12 and 13, the College of Education will sponsor
the second annual ?Breaking the Silence: Gays and Lesbians
in Our Schools? conference. The conference will provide an
academic setting for networking and the sharing of
information about gay and lesbian educational issues in
Saskatchewan.

?The conference has a strong focus on K-12 education and
helps participants to learn how to make a safer school
environment for gay and lesbian students and teachers,?
says Don Cochrane, organizer of the conference.

On Friday, March 12 at 7:15 p.m., Svend Robinson, the first
openly gay Member of Parliament and founding member of
the International Advisory Board of the International Gay
and Lesbian Human Rights Commission will open the
conference speaking on ?Reflections on Breaking the Silence?.

Various panels, workshops, and theatre performances will
follow on Saturday, March 13 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Topics addressed at the conference will include the struggle
for an inclusive curriculum, the protections for teachers and
students in the Saskatchewan Human Rights Code, and
making schools safe for all students.

Some 80 registered participants gathered for last year?s
conference and Cochrane estimates that this year?s numbers
will be much higher. ?People see that the University
provides a place where volatile issues can be discussed
safely and openly,? says Cochrane.

All presentations will be held in Quance Theatre, College of
Education. The conference registration fee for Friday, March
12 only is $5 including refreshments. Registration before
March 5 for the full conference is $30 for students, $15 for
underwaged or retired. Registration after March 5 will be
$40 for all participants.

For complete program details log onto the Internet at:
http://www.usask.ca/education/program/edfnd/g&lconf99.
htm

For more information, please contact:
Don Cochrane
College of Education
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-7521
don.cochrane@usask.ca