Hundreds attend ‘Coming Out Against Hate’ event at Paso Robles High School
The Paso Robles High School theater was standing room only for the event.
Speakers share incidents of harassment and demand action
– Wednesday night at Paso Robles High School Theatre there was an overflowing audience of about 300 inside and 100 outside for a student-led program called “Coming Out Against Hate.” The program started at 6 p.m. and included 14 student speakers connected to the LGTBQ+ community sharing their experiences. There was a short film interviewing more students, a dance routine, a song, and a call to action moderated by the president of the Equality Club, Eve Barajas, and ASB Vice President John Seden-Hansen.
LGBTQ+ supporters wave signs outside the school theater.
The student speakers shared incidents of harassment and not feeling safe. They called on administrators to change the recently adopted policy limiting the display of the LGTBQ+ flag. They expressed hopes that one-day other LGTBQ students would be safe and protected at school.
A call to action developed by the Equality Club listed three action steps:
- “First we demand the district issue a public apology for their timid response to hate. Moreover, the district must clearly and forcefully condemn the anti-LGBTQ hate on campus. Every student and staff member needs to hear that apology.
- “Second, PRHS students demand the district enact a zero-tolerance policy regarding hate and hate crimes on campus, as well as enact other policies to protect marginalized students after a consultation with stake-holder clubs in order to protect students’ rights and identities.
- “Third, the new flag policy must be repealed and the district must recognize the importance of Pride flags in creating safe spaces for our LGTBQ youth. The pride plan represents nothing more that our community might to exist peacefully and should be treated as such. Not as a political organization, or something vulgar, but as a peaceful community. No teacher should be disciplined for hanging a Pride flag in a classroom.
A student banner shows support for the LGBTQ+ community on campus.
“I never expected that it would take two weeks for school officials to talk about what had happened in the first place,” Senior Ava Hughes said, “I learned that in order to combat hate, administrators believe that we simply shouldn’t be as big of a target.”
“I can’t even see myself represented on the walls of my teachers’ classrooms because of a restriction that was set after students defecated on the pride flag,” said student Danny Perez, “We didn’t do anything but we are the ones being punished. It doesn’t make sense.”
Student Danny Perez speaks at the event.
PRJUSD Student Services Director Tom Harrington says he attended the forum to show support for Bearcats. He said, “I tell them, you may not like all your fellow students, but you need to respect their right to get and education at PRHS.”
Tuesday morning, an LGBTQ mask was found desecrated at the high school. In a letter to students, Principal Anthony Overton called the desecration of gay pride mask this week “Hateful, intolerant and inexcusable.” An investigation into the mask desecration continues.
Student Cameron LeClair reads an anonymous statement from a fellow student.
Community member Eric Zack Bergmann attended the event to show his support and live-streamed from the theater. “The event was amazing and to see the community come out and take a stand with these students against hate, intolerance, and unfairness,” he said.
“It was incredible to see a whole town unify and back the students,” he said. “The moment and being there was just as if we are watching change happen right there.”
Sponsors of the event included The Equality Club, ACT Club, J00I Club, BSU Club, MEChA Club, ASB at PRHS and NOSB Club. The visual and performing arts, science and social studies departments were thanked for helping to create a safe space for the event.
Rainbow Pride flags on display for supporters to wave.
–Report and photos by Laura Parker with Dick Mason contributing.
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