Editorial
PTA's progress toward inclusion

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Sometimes, progress happens in fits and starts.

The on-again, off-again, on-again invitation from the National PTA to a national gay advocacy group is one of those times.

The group, Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), initially tried to participate in the PTA's national conference several years ago to raise awareness about anti-gay bullying. At first its leaders were met with silence. Last year, they were invited to submit a proposal. Then their proposal was rejected.

But this story has a happy ending. The PTA finally agreed to let PFLAG put on a workshop at its conference in Anaheim, Calif., on Saturday.

The goal of the workshop is to promote safe, inclusive schools. All parents — no matter their feelings about homosexuality — should be in favor of that.

The high rate of verbal, sexual and physical harassment of gay students is alarming. More than four of five lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students say they have been harassed at school because of their sexual orientation. Most report adults at their schools do little or nothing to intervene.

Gay students tend to skip school and drop out more frequently than their straight peers, and are more likely to be suicidal. A recent national study found unchecked har-assment can affect their performance in school and diminish their aspirations for the future.

An "anti-gay" climate does not just harm the students who are targeted. It sends a message to all students that hate is acceptable. All children deserve to learn in an environment that promotes equity and inclusion.

For more than a century, the PTA has used its powerful position to advocate for the best interests of children. By putting the importance of this issue above politics, the PTA is doing it once again.