KING COUNTY, WA - Today, the Safe Schools Coalition released its report Understanding Anti-Gay Harassment and Violence in Schools, a report based on five years of research here in Washington State. To obtain a free copy of the Safe Schools Report, log on to the Safe Schools Coalition's Website at http://www.safeschoolscoalition.org, or contact the NW Coalition Against Malicious Harassment at 206-233-9136.

Dr. Alonzo L. Plough, Director, Seattle-King County Department of Public Health, issued the following statement about this report:

"Harassment and violence perpetrated against anyone are wrong, and prevention of these acts is a crucial public health concern.

The personal stories of anti-gay harassment and violence recounted in this final Safe Schools Report are horrifying, and the acts described are outrageous. I am angered and deeply pained by the cruelty and devastation described in the report. We cannot allow these kinds of bias crimes to continue to be perpetrated in our schools or anywhere. These crimes not only effect sexual minority youth, but also diminish the educational experience of all our young people.

Gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered children are precious and vital members of our community. They deserve to be and feel safe -- whether in schools, on the street, or in their homes. We need to do more to protect them from anti-gay harassment and violence in our schools, and we need to do more to support them (and all children that experience prejudice) so that they will grow into healthy, happy, and contributing adults.

I am proud that the Seattle-King County Department of Public Health is a part of the Safe Schools Coalition, and I congratulate the people who collected the data and stories in the 1999 Safe Schools Report. This is a fine report that brings light to a troubling problem. The stories and testimonies collected in the report are devastating, but they serve the crucial purpose of exposing the truth. Harassment and violence that are not recognized cannot be stopped. I pledge the Public Health Department's continuing support for this life-saving work.

Finally, I want to express condolences to both of the families which lost children because of anti-gay prejudice and violence. I also wish to express my sympathy and gratitude to all of the children, families, and educators who shared their stories with the Safe Schools Research Project."