GREENSBORO N.C. (AP) – A sweeping anti-discrimination policy that local civil rights and gay and lesbian groups heralded as groundbreaking when adopted earlier this year is not working, high school students in Guilford County say.

The policy, which was adopted in January, includes language to protect students against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity or expression.

Students – both gay and straight – say they still see discrimination at county high schools.

Catherine Adamson, a lesbian who attends Grimsley High School, said she avoids places such as the school cafeteria, where she is likely to get french fries thrown in her face and hear an anti-gay remark.

School and gay rights leaders still support the policy, though, noting that attitude changes won’t happen overnight.

“Just as with any other kind of prejudice, change takes time,” said Annette Green, co-chairwoman of the Gay Lesbian and Straight Education Network of Greensboro. “It takes years and years and years. But this is a really strong start.”

Along with the policy, the district has begun a diversity-training program for administrators and teachers. Elementary and middle school students take “Bullyproofing”, a program that deals with discrimination by showing children ways to stop bullying.

And the district’s fifth-graders are attending Face to Face, an interactive program about discrimination and diversity.

“It’s not something you do just once, it’s a yearly thing that you have to constantly bring up,” said Beth Copenhaver, the district’s chief student services officer.

Anita Sharpe, vice chairwoman of the board, said the policy will help fight all kinds of discrimination, not just for gay and lesbian students.

“I’m sorry that nothing has changed,” Sharpe said in response to the complaints from the student panel members. “But there are now and always have been processes for students to follow if they feel they are being discriminated against.”