She said the group has many straight members and a mission that will benefit all schools and families. They do not feel safe in schools, and there is no reason for that. Additionally, some Gay Lesbian PTSA projects might have nothing to do with gays or lesbians, Carmel said. One early idea, for example, is for the group to help a school without its own PTA with needed projects, such as cleaning the playground. Lisa Bond, a regional PTA director whose territory includes Seattle, believes that is a good start.
Bond expects the group to complement, rather than drain local school-based PTAs.
Parents have said in surveys that they weren't comfortable bringing up issues surrounding gay or lesbian students at their regular PTA meetings, and felt uneasy bringing gay or lesbian partners to school, she said. The gay PTSA is starting off as a regional group, not attached to any one school or district, although it may split into chapters as it grows. The PTA mission is broad, encompassing children's health, safety and education in and out of school. The state group has fielded questions about PTAs based on ethnic and cultural groups, and such groups will likely follow the Gay Lesbian PTSA's lead, he said. The Florida state PTA, however, said it researched the issue with National PTA attorneys before rejecting the Florida group.