A victory for gay students.

A groundbreaking settlement in Northern California's Morgan Hill Unified School District has ended years of antigay harrassment and violence, leaving gay advocates optimistic about the future. On January 6, 2004, the school district agreed to settle a 1998 lawsuit brought by six students who described an environment of antigay taunts and violence, and in which school officials and teachers did nothing to stop it. The district agreed to provide antibias training for personnel and age-appropriate programs for students. It also agreed to pay $1.1 million, including money for the plaintiffs. Freddie Fuentes, now 24, who says he was repeatedly beaten up, hopes to use the money for college. So does former student Jeanette Dousharm, 24, who may become a teacher.