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"We are respondmng directly to the students' request to leam how to deal with homophobia in their sehools and to their desire to take back concrete strategies to confront this hate crime," said Halton Anti-Homophobia Committee (HAHC) member and Halton Pride Commitice chair Marcus Logan. "The planning committec hopes to provide these tools for the students as well as teachers and prin- cipals." Particularly exciting to organizers is the breadth of participation in the conference, which is expected 10 attract students and educa- tors from l-alton's public and Catholic school boards as well as representatives from private schools. In fact. welcoming remarks will be made on behalf of both school boards by Halton Catholic District School Board Director of Education Lou Piovesan. He will be joined in addressing the crowd by MDHS principal Ian Jones and North Halton Cultural Awareness Council chair Elizabeth Carmnichacl. Organizers excited about conference -How exciting is it that public, Catholic and private schools will be supporting the conference and it is so important that the direc- tor of the Halton Catholic District School Board is one of the peo- ple 10 open the conference," said HAHC member Katherine Joss. According to HAHC past chair Julie Pehar, Tuesday's event won't be about the pros and cons of coming out and other such issues and care has been taken to focus the agenda 10 make atten- dees think - not overtly provoke their religious beliefs. '*No une wilI be challenged to go beyond their personal comfort level," said Ms Pehar. Perhaps the day's most interesting session wiIl be the moming panel discussion, which will feature largely gay speakers includ- ing Halton students, a deaf Iesbian pupil from E.C. Drury High School in Milton, the parents of a I 6-year-old gay youth and a young gay Somalian Muslim. "The panel members are mncredibly brave in their desire to share their experiences in order Io help change perceptions," said Ms Pehar, who explained that the day will also feature a variety of interactive dispîsys and a wealth of information. Conference a good first step "This Beyond Homophobia conference is only a small ftrst step in dealing with homophobic issues at Halton schools," said I-AHC and high school teacher Robin Coverdale. "Manty more steps must be taken t0 guarantee basic human rights for our homosexual and bisexual students." According to organizers. homophobia is defined as an "irra- tional, intense fear or hatred of intimate relationships with persons of thc saine sex, or the gay or lesbian people who have same-sex relationships.- In an effort to have conference participants engage in "self reflection" about their own attitudes, explaincd Ms Pehar, each wilI be encouraged tu rank themselves on a scale developed by an American psycholugist ranging from "repulsion" to "nuturance." "This will be donc in private 10 challenge ourselves," said Ms Pehar. The aflemoon half of the day wilI bc marked by a solidarity sim- ilar to that of the moming when remarks are given by Halton Regional Police Diversity Officer Const. Diane Hendry, Halton District School Board Chair Ethel Gardiner, Halton Cathoie District School Board religious and family life consultant Linda Triantafillou and Halton District School Board diversity officer Suzanne Muir. 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