A. Aged

     How is your community meeting the special needs of the aged? Identify the problems; then see whether solutions have been found. For example, a growing number of the aged use walkers and small vehicles to get around. They have trouble negotiating curbs, and many cities have rebuilt curbs at intersections to eliminate the rise.
     Is there a housing project for the aged, a recreation center, food programs for the shut-ins? Learn what the city, church groups and civic organizations are doing for this growing segment of the population.

B. Gay-Lesbian

     A study by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services found that gay and lesbian adolescents make up almost a third of all teen-age suicides. One of the reasons, counselors say, is the anti-gay atmosphere in high schools. Although racial and religious slurs are no longer acceptable, anti-gay comments are part of the school culture.
     At some schools, gay students are advised to stay in the closet. A Boston high school teacher said, "They'd get killed if they came out. At our school, male students get harassed just for being in drama or chorus."
     But at other schools, administrators are trying to open the closet. At the Phillips Exeter private school in New Hampshire, a gay/straight alliance was formed, and gay and lesbian students are permitted to hold dances. A number of other private schools have similar organizations. Much of the effort to open up high schools has come from gay teachers.
     Opposition is powerful. A minister in Mattapan, Mass., the Rev. Earl W. Jackson, advocates firing gay and lesbian teachers who are open about their sexual orientation.
     "We are not going to let anyone stand up and say, 'I'm lesbian,'" he said.
     In Washington and Oregon, anti-gay initiatives have been aimed at introducing legislation that would prohibit gays and lesbians from teaching. Although the situation is easing for gay students at boarding schools, gays and lesbians say little progress has been made in public high schools. Examine the situation in your local high schools. Has the board of education taken any steps to include treatment of gay issues in the curriculum; are there any gay/straight clubs in any high schools? Interview gay and lesbian students about their experiences in school.
     You might post a notice about your interest in talking to these students, after you obtain permission from the school.