Among the varied programs of the Los Angeles Unified School District are the gay and lesbian sites known as Oasis. There are five such sites in the Los Angeles area. These schools are located in West Hollywood, West Adams, Hollywood, South Bay and a new site which just opened up in North Hollywood. Why the need for such a program?  For several reasons. 

“These students, who are between the ages of 14 and 21, have been exposed to persistent ridicule and harassment while attending more traditional neighborhood high schools,” says Laura Slater, teacher of Oasis Village in Hollywood. “Because of this, our students are more likely to drop out of school, hurt themselves or choose other destructive behaviors. Parents can also be very rejecting, and cause their son or daughter to be very remorseful.” 

A good example is that of a former student from one of the Oasis schools who related a story to me when I was a long-term substitute teacher at a West Hollywood gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender site. His true name is withheld for obvious reasons. We’ll call him Jose. Jose told me a dramatic incident that occurred when he was 14 years old. When his mother found out that he was gay, she rejected him. He ran away and was found unconscious on the street after taking Valium. Stunned by it, I told him to write it up in play form as an English lesson. The following is a reduced version of his original play.

        Jose is in his bedroom getting ready for school. Mom says, “Are you ready yet?”

   “Almost done,” he answers. 

   “Are you finished with your homework?” his mother asks. 

   “Of course I finished, mom, and even if I didn’t I wouldn’t tell you. Love you mom (he kisses her) see you later.” 

   Mom says, "Don’t forget your coat, don’t want you to get sick.”  She begins to clean his room, and finds a porn magazine. What is this? She thinks. She sees pictures of naked men. She also finds Jose’s notebook that says "I love you Brian." When Jose comes back from school, she is furious. “I didn’t raise you to be a pervert.” She rips the magazine and sobs. She asks him, “Are you gay?” 

   “Yes,” he answers.”  He reaches out to hug his mom. 

   “Don’t touch me,” she screams. “I wanted to tell you sooner.” 

   “Get out of my house,” she yells. “I didn’t raise my son to be a faggot.” 

   Jose is stunned. He runs into the streets. 

        Then one day, the phone rings. Jose’s mother answers.

    “Ma'am, I’m calling from County Hospital. Your son, Jose, swallowed some valium and was found unconscious on the street.” 

   Fortunately, there is a good ending for Jose. After his dismissal from the hospital, he was placed into a foster home and was enrolled in an Oasis School. He started out in his new situation as a distressed boy, but by the time I met him, when I was substituting, he was a happy, helpful and an ambitious student. He graduated from high school, since Oasis is considered an LAUSD continuation school. His plan was to go on to a college and prepare for a career. Unfortunately, many of these students cannot live with their families. They live in group homes, and are bussed into the various sites. 

      Oasis is not only a safe haven for these students, but it gives them the opportunity to make friends with those who have similar experiences. There is a comradeship among them that would not exist in the traditional school. There is a strong academic program for them, which they accomplish at their own pace.          

       According to the Oasis Administrative Office, their students are subject to the same state-mandated standardized tests and are eligible for high school diplomas.

    As one administrator stated, “no child left behind” means no child left behind. Hopefully the day will come when our program is no longer needed.”