NEW ULM — The Human Rights Commission (HRC) on Monday discussed educational opportunities for the community in the wake of recent anti-gay harassment during New Ulm High basketball games.

HRC Chairman Larry Czer attended a videoconference meeting with the City Council chairman, city manager, Chamber of Commerce president and District 88 superintendent to discuss the incidents involving New Ulm and St. Peter basketball teams.

Czer said in speaking with Jeff Bertrang he believed the harassment at the games and the bus incident were two separate incidents. In addition, no formal complaint was issued by the St. Peter player or school. The school district is handling the investigation. During the meeting, Czer and city officials agreed it was the school district’s responsibility to address the issue, but HRC was available for support.

Commissioner Aaron Kosola said he understood it was within the district’s right to handle the issue, and he did not want the HRC to interfere but believed this incident revealed an underlying current of discrimination in the school that goes beyond homophobia.

“The same kid or kids that are teasing the gay kid or making fun of him or making slurs is also the same kid who is picking on your son or daughter who is different in another way,” Kosola said. “We probably have more problems than we realize, and this is just one of many incidents that are occurring. It’s not just the gay kid. It’s other kids being bullied in the school.”

Commissioner Katie Dorschner agreed this incident was likely scratching the surface of a larger issue. “We’ve already seen and heard from some kids in our community that they are experiencing a backlash over this, and they are talking about other incidents where they have been bullied,” she said.

Czer said community leaders were on the same page that the negative behavior of students reflects badly on the city, but since minors are involved, the responsibility does fall on the school district.

Commission Wendi Ringhofer said in terms of taking action on this issue, the HRC focus is on the community level. This led to a discussion on bringing promoting communitywide diversity education.

The commission unanimously agreed to fund a community education diversity program in New Ulm. The program would be provided by the Greater Mankato Diversity Council (GMDC) and would include four sessions coving Implicit bias; Diversity 101; Cultural Competency and Inclusion Initiatives.

A schedule for the diversity program is still to be determined. The commission is aiming to hold the programs before the end of the school year.

TOMORROW: The HRC responds to a resident’s charge it is the “focal point of ill will and division among the people of this community.”