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Newark Apologizes for Blackout of Gay Kiss in Yearbook

The Newark city school district that ordered staffers to use markers to black out a picture of a male student kissing his boyfriend from all copies of a school yearbook now says it regrets the decision.

Superintendent Marion A. Bolden issued an apology to the student, Andre Jackson, according to a statement released by the district on Monday.

"The decision was based, in part, on misinformation that Mr. Jackson was not one of our students and our review simply focused on the suggestive nature of the photograph,'' the district said.

"Superintendent Marion A. Bolden personally apologizes to Mr. Jackson and regrets and embarrassment and unwanted attention the matter has brought to him,'' according to the statement.

The district said it would reissue an "un-redacted version'' of the 2007 yearbook to any student of East Side High School who wants one.

Bolden, through a spokeswoman, declined a request for an interview.

At a news conference organized by Garden State Equality, a gay rights group, Jackson said he was disappointed that the superintendent had not told him she was sorry face-to-face and in public.

Because of that, he said he didn't accept her apology as sincere.

"I would accept an apology -- a public apology,'' said Jackson, who found out about the district's statement through the media.

The district spokeswoman, Valerie Merritt, had no immediate comment on whether Bolden would call or meet with Jackson.

Jackson said his teachers, classmates and his parents all knew he was gay and that his sexual orientation was never a problem at school.

"I've never had to deal with this before,'' he said. "It's shocking. It's crazy.''

In addition to Garden State Equality, the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey also condemned actions taken by the district last week.

"With so many challenges the Newark Public Schools face in educating their students, what a waste that they took the time to teach a lesson in discrimination and censorship instead of equality and free speech,'' said ACLU-NJ Executive Director Deborah Jacobs.

Previously, Bolden had described the picture, which showed Andre Jackson, 18, kissing boyfriend David Escobales, as "illicit.''

"If it was either heterosexual or gay, it should have been blacked out. It's how they posed for the picture,'' Bolden told The Star-Ledger of Newark for Saturday's editions.

In the 4-by-5-inch photo, Jackson is seen turning his head back over his right shoulder and kissing Escobales, 19, of Allentown, Pa. It was blacked out after Russell Garris, the district's assistant superintendent who oversees the city's high schools, told Bolden he was concerned that the photo could upset parents.

The photo was among several appeared on a special personal tribute page in the yearbook.

Jackson, who paid $150 for the page, questioned the decision to black out the photo, noting that the yearbook is filled with pictures of heterosexual couples kissing.

Newark public schools have about 42,000 students.

The district is the state's largest and is one of three in New Jersey that are under state control. It is among 31 districts in the state's neediest areas that get special financial aid.

Garden State Equality, along with many homo activist groups, in and out of state (NJ), are watching NJ school districts closely. NJ is a gay friendly, liberal state but parents sending their kids to public school district schools are becoming more informed and are starting to question the political agenda apparent in many districts now. Our school district (K-8) is experiencing this now, parents questioning the teaching of homosexuality as normal, common behavior and promoting the lifestyle, really. Parents are showing up at school board meetings, asking questions, being told they’re raving lunatics, uneducated (not in this town), bigots, etc. Parents and other residents of this town are fighting for time with the hundreds of activists from various groups who are showing up, most if not all who don’t live in this area.

I think, based on what I’ve read on the Newark yearbook/kiss issue, that the district tried to prevent backlash from the parents (I’m sure they’re aware of what’s happening in my town/district and the uproar from usually quiet parents concerning the pro homo video that was being shown to 3rd graders without their knowledge)and tried not to have any publicity about this incident. However, these activist groups thrive on publicity.

The faculty advisor who allowed this picture to be included in the yearbook is to blame. IMO. I wonder if any pics of hetero couples kissing were included - I really don’t know enough about the yearbook. Anyway, including the same sex couple kissing was for the purpose of making a point, imo. It’s the same point our K-8 district was trying to make - this behavior, lifestyle is normal and anyone who thinks differently is uneducated, bigoted, misinformed, etc. At the same time, I think our district admin was trying to appease members of the admin and groups like Garden State Equality and never thought the usually quiet, supportive parents would care or that any local or national publicity would be the result.

It will be interesting to see what happens with the *special committee* formed to address this video/issue and the result (show the video or can it). The school district admin probably had no clue that parents would be so upset or that it would become national news. I think the Newark black out thing was done because the admin is aware of what’s happening in this district and probably didn’t want the backlash from parents. So now they have to deal with the Garden State Equality and other homo activist groups upset about the blacking out of the picture. On a bright note, I think our high school district will think very carefully, given what the K-8 district and other districts are experiencing, about just how important parents are in the education system (support v. nonsupport). They may cave to the homo/liberal/political agenda and groups but they’re going to have a fight from the parents.