Graphic content alleged at gay-lesbian meeting 

By Doreen Iudica Vigue, Globe Staff

 The state Department of Education will investigate its employees' role in a March 25 gay-lesbian issues conference where participants allegedly used graphic and explicit sexual language in two seminars.

 Deputy commissioner Alan Safran denied reports that the education department cosponsored the daylong event for teens called ''Teach Out'' at Tufts University.

 One department employee who oversees the state's school HIV/AIDS programs and two consultants volunteered their time to lead discussions on gay and lesbian issues, allegedly including graphic talk about sex.

 A parent, Scott Whiteman, whose child did not attend the event, secretly taped the seminar and put some of the frank exchanges on the Internet. He complained to the department at last week's Board of Education meeting.

 Safran said commissioner David P. Driscoll will talk to participants this week to find out whether the department employee did, or said, anything inappropriate.

 ''We have an internal investigation going ... we want to look at the specifics of the conference, with a concern about the graphic context,'' Safran said. ''We want to assure the public that these kinds of conversations do not happen in our regular programs.''

 Wallace Bachman, executive director of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network of Boston, the key sponsors of ''Teach Out,'' said it was illegal for Whiteman to tape the event, and stood behind the discussions.

 ''The students were asking questions, they were assured anonymity ... it would have been irresponsible not to answer them,'' Bachman said. ''The instructors allowed the students to talk about their issues and get good, accurate information.''