Sylvia Guerrero will be the featured speaker on May 7 at a Fremont Adult School training entitled “One Mother’s Story.” Guerrero is the mother of transgender Newark teen Gwen Araujo, who briefly attended Fremont schools before being murdered on October 4, 2002, after fellow teens learned she was biologically male. The training intends to familiarize the Fremont community with transgender, gender identity, and gender expression issues as they relate to Fremont schools. Scheduled to speak with Guerrero are a transgender parent and a transgender student.

In addition, the training will discuss California’s Student Safety and Violence Prevention Act of 2000, which requires California schools to protect students and school employees from discrimination and harassment regardless of gender identity or expression. However, since its passage and despite successful lawsuits, few school districts have responded to the law.

Jerry Underdal is a teacher at Mission San Jose High School, the advisor for Mission San Jose High School’s Gay-Straight Alliance, and a member of CARS (Committee to Assure Respect in Schools). “I am excited about this opportunity for the community to learn about the complexities surrounding gender,” commented Underdal, the training’s instructor. “Understanding, accepting, and respecting transgender persons remain a confusing and difficult process.”

Participants will interactively learn relevant terminology. There will also be an opportunity to explore survey information about school safety and time to ask questions to a panel of community experts. Similar training given to Fremont teachers on April 25 was well received with over 60 teachers attending.
“This shows how timely this course is,” said Belinda Dronkers-Laureta, also a member of CARS. “Surveys have shown that harassment and particularly name calling are common in Fremont schools.”

articipants will take home resources that provide additional opportunities to learn. The course location is at the Fremont Adult School at 4700 Calaveras Avenue, in room 10. The time is Saturday, May 7, from 9:30 till noon. There is a $10 materials fee, but scholarships are available. Pre-registration is preferred; call (510) 793-6465 or register on-line at fasce.com. You may register at the door beginning at 9:00 am.