I thought long and hard and brought the dilemma to many people, who suggested several ideas.

It felt as though I really had to use this moment to move through something that would really educate the students. I knew that if I rejected Angel, he would know it. He would continue to be hurt, as he was when his father kicked him out of their home, and left him, at age 13, to fend for himself. This was based on nothing more than the fact he was gay. His father could not accept him.

I decided to speak privately with one of the team who had interviewed Angel, and a "leader" among the mediators, Sadie. I asked her why she had given him such a low rating. Did it have anything to do with the fact that Angel was gay? Sadie thought hard and said she didn't really know why she had given him such a low rating, but in retrospect, Angel's interview had been outstanding. She stated unequivocally that she would not have a problem with a gay individual on the Mediation team. We were having a meeting that afternoon with the entire team to discuss which applicants we would choose. We talked about all the candidates, and the team did not respond negatively to Angel's name.

Toward the end of the meeting, Sadie asked if we were going to discuss the issue that she and I had talked about privately. I said yes, of course. Before I had a chance to say anything, she asked, "Do you guys have any problem with having a gay student on the team?" The entire team said immediately that they had absolutely no problem with it, and that if he had a good interview, then he should be on the team. Another student said, "After all, we are the mediators, and need to teach the school about diversity and acceptance." Every single person agreed.

The training is now over, and it went fine. The other trainees were also accepting of Angel, and remain so today, 6 weeks later. Angel was extremely pleased with the results, and is very happy being part of a group who totally accepts him for who he is. His picture is up in the display case along with the rest of the mediators, and we are all happy that he is there.

I am very grateful that we did the right thing. It was indeed a teachable moment, and my students did not let me down. I was very proud of their attitude, and admire them even more than I did before!