NORMAL - Creating a safe school environment for all students, regardless of their sexual orientation, will be the focus of a public forum Tuesday at Normal Community High School.

State Superintendent of Education Christopher Koch and Normal Mayor Chris Koos will join students, parents and teachers on a panel to discuss the needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students. Several area school superintendents and administrators also are expected to attend.

The forum is scheduled for 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the school's auditorium at 3900 E. Raab Road.

Fourteen sponsors, including the American Civil Liberties Union, Illinois Safe School Alliance and several churches and human rights organizations are providing support for the public discussion on the challenges facing LGBT students.

The issue of safety is a concern that goes beyond the LGBT community, said Sarah Schriber with the ACLU of Illinois.

When students are bullied based upon their sexual orientation, a school's environment becomes negatively charged for all students, said Schriber, one of the organizers of the Normal event.

"When the climate improves for one group, it improves for everyone," she said.

The Safe Schools Alliance helped organize a similar forum in Peoria last year that was attended by more than 200 people. The discussion of issues surrounding the treatment of LGBT students has created more dialogue in Peoria, said Schriber, and potential support for students whose sexual orientation can be the target of harassment.

Supporters of the local event hope next week's forum has similar results.

Shannon Sullivan, Safe Schools' executive director, said the stories she has heard during the six months of planning for the Twin Cities event are familiar.

"Sadly, the stories are the same. They are powerful, human and unique in every instance, but all students are suffering," said Sullivan.

Part of the role of the school alliance is training school personnel on how to address LGBT issues. Adults, said Sullivan, sometimes make things worse by their inaction.

"It can be ignorance or fear of doing the wrong thing, but adults in the schools are not helping because they don't know what to do," said Sullivan.

Suicide, depression and anxiety occurs among LGBT youth "because they are not getting the support they need from the people they trust," said the alliance coordinator.

Last year, the Chicago-based group worked with 2,000 school personnel in Illinois on LGBT issues. Education and public awareness are crucial in the effort to improve the school environment, said Sullivan.

"What comes next is school by school, district by district, work to make things better," she said.

In addition to the speakers, students and other LGBT participants were invited to submit their stories and experiences for a book that will be compiled for the forum.

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School safety forum

What: Public forum on creating a safe school environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students.

When: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday

Where: Normal Community High School auditorium, 3900 E. Raab Road.