Date: Fri, 22 Mar 1996 05:56:55 -0800 (PST) From: jessea@uclink4.berkeley.edu (Jessea NR Greenman) Subject: NEA Resolutions Proposed Changes; GLSTN/LA conference; Are You a Teacher? If So, Please Read! {Remember, *anyone* can write to the NEA President about this matter. Contact Keith Geiger, President, National Education Association 1201 16th St. NW Washington, DC, 20036, Voice: 202-833-4000, Fax: 202-822-7974 If any of you who are NEA members wish to write to the California members of the NEA Resolution Committee, which wrote the below proposed revisions, please feel write to and I will to connect you with someone who has that list of California Resolutions Committee members. The below is from a California NEA member...} "Jessea, As you may imagine, discussion of eliminating National Education Association Resolution B-9 has been receiving considerable discussion in the NEA Online discussion areas. Changes were proposed to the Resolutions Committee after NEA received input, both positive and negative, from individual NEA members, as well as resolutions from some state affiliates, asking for changes to B-9-d, the subsections specifically endorsing Gay and Lesbian History Month. (I don't know which). The initial news on the elimination was incomplete in that the Resolutions Committee is proposing to reword several resolutions, as shown below; the intent is to maintain NEA's committment to diversity and against racism, sexism and sexual orientation discrimination, but.... The language specifically supporting Gay and Lesbian History Month would be eliminated, along with stated support for National American Indian/Alaskan Native Heritage Month, National Hispanic Heritage Month, Asian/Pacific Heritage Month, and Black History Month. I think this would be a terrible reversal of progressive stands NEA has taken in the past and an act of appeasment towards the right. NEA members are being asked to provide any input they have on these proposed resolutions to their state council representatives, NEA Board members, and to NEA Representative Assembly delegates elected for the 1996 Assembly in Washington, DC. John ================================================================================ RESOLUTION B-6. Diversity Amend by deletion of current language in B-6 and replacing with new language, delete B-8 last paragraph, B-9 d, B-10 item k, B-11 item h, B-12 last paragraph, B-13 item k, as shown below. [Language within brackets is the current language, proposed for change or elimination.] B-6 Diversity [The National Education Association believes that diversity in any combination of similarities and differences of people in communities, work places, school systems, or similar environments. Some examples are race, ethnicity, color, national origin, language, geographic location, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, physical ability, size, and marital, parental, or economic status. The Association further believes that all education employees must recognize and respect the diversity that exists among students and all other people. Respect for diversity is demonstrated by the conscious development of appreciation of various qualities that pertain to people as individual or as members of groups. Instruction designed to develop an appreciation for diversity also entails helping students establish positive relationships that are based on honesty, trust, respect and non-judgmental acceptance leading to success and the common good of all.] The National Education Association believes that our diverse society enriches all individuals. Similarities and differences among races, ethnicity, color, national origin, language, geographic location, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, physical ability, size, and marital, parental, or economic status form the fabric of our society. The Association also believes that education should increase tolerance and foster an appreciation of the various qualities that pertain to people as individuals or members of a group. The Association further believes in the importance of programs and observances which accurately portray and recognize the roles, contributions, culture, and history of these diverse groups and individuals. B-8. Sexism in Education [The Association supports the celebration of Women's History Month as a means of acknowledging the contribution of women to the history and development of world progress.] B-9. Sexual Orientation Education [d. Support for the celebration of a Lesbian and Gay History Month as a means of acknowledging the contributions of lesbians, gays, and bisexuals throughout history.] B-10. American Indian/Alaska Native Education [k. The celebration of National American Indian/Alaskan Native Heritage Month.] B-11. Hispanic Education [h. Celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month as a means of acknowledging the contributions of Hispanics to the history and development of the United States, its territories, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.] B-12. Asian and Pacific Islander Education [The Association supports the celebration of Asian/Pacific Heritage Month and encourages opportunities to preserve, promote, and perpetuate Asian and Pacific Islander heritage and culture.] B-13. Black American Education [k. Celebration of Black History Month as a means of acknowledging the contribution of Black Americans to the history and development of these United States.] RESOLUTION B-7. Racism in Education, B-8. Sexism in Education, B-9. Sexual Orientation Education [Delete current language in B-7, B-8 and B-9 and replace with new title and language as shown below. B-7 Racism, Sexism and Sexual Orientation Discrimination The National Education Association believes in the equality of all individuals. Discrimination and stereotyping based on such factors as race, gender, physical disabilities, and sexual orientation must be eliminated.] The Association also believes that plans, activities, and programs for staff, students, parents, and the community should be developed to identify and eliminate discrimination and stereotyping in all educational settings. Such plans, activities, and program must: a. increase tolerance and sensitivity to individuals and groups in a diverse society composed of such groups as American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian and Pacific Islanders, Blacks and Hispanics, Women, Gays, Lesbians, and people with disabilities b. eliminate discrimination and stereotyping in the curriculum, textbooks, resource and instructional materials, activities, etc. c. foster the use of nondiscriminatory, nonsexist and nonstereotypical language, resources, practices, and activities. d. eliminate institutional discrimination. e. integrate and accurate portrayal of the roles and contributions of all groups throughout history across the curriculum. f. identify how prejudice, stereotyping and discrimination have limited the roles and contributions of individuals and groups. g. Eliminate subtle practices that favor the education of one student on the basis of ethnicity, gender, and so forth, over another. The Association encourages its affiliates to develop and implement training programs on these matters." ----------------------------------------- From: GLSTNLA@aol.com Date: Fri, 22 Mar 1996 01:47:42 -0500 To: jessea@uclink4.berkeley.edu Subject: GLSTN/LA Conference Jessea: Don't know if you've received this yet or not, but if you haven't, would you mind passing this along to your e-mail contacts? Thanks! And thanks for the great work you're doing. Bob Riddle, GLSTN/LA Co-chair _______________________________________________ GLSTN ANNOUNCEMENT _______________________________________________ Note: Do not respond to send email to GLSTNLA@aol.com PLEASE CROSS-POST THIS AS WIDELY AS POSSIBLE _______________________________________________ JAMIE LEE CURTIS AND MARSHA SCOTT FEATURED SPEAKERS AT THE GLSTN/WEST CONFERNECE "DIVERSITY: FROM UNDERSTANDING TO APPRECIATION" (Los Angeles -- March 11) The Los Angeles chapter of the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Teachers Network (GLSTN/LA) is proud to announce the Second Annual West Coast Conference, "Diversity: From Understanding to Appreciation," to be held on Saturday, April 20 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Center for Early Education in West Hollywood, California. This conference will be a first in GLSTN history--the first time that a conference has been held at an elementary school! MARSHA SCOTT AND JAMIE LEE CURTIS TO SPEAK Marsha Scott, deputy assistant to President Clinton and his official liaison to the gay and lesbian community, will be our keynote speaker, and Jamie Lee Curtis, actress and mother, will present closing remarks. Sandwiched in between will be over 40 different workshops, along with a special preview of the film "It's Elementary" by Academy Award-winning director Deborah Chasnoff. SPACE IS LIMITED, SO REGISTER EARLY! Because of space limitations, the number of conference attendees will be limited to 400, so those interested are encouraged to register as soon as possible. Registration can be sent to GLSTN/LA c/o The Center for Early Education, 563 North Alfred St., West Hollywood, CA 90048. Registration fees for GLSTN members are $40 before March 29, and $55 after March 29; non-member rates are $50 before and $65 after March 29. Registration fees include all workshops, continental breakfast, lunch, and a post-conference reception. FOR MORE INFORMATION For more information or for a complete registration packet and program guide, contact April Frank, Roger LaGrange or Lorne Zilkie at 213-651-0707, or e-mail GLSTNLA@aol.com. END OF RELEASE ------------------------------------------------ From: GLIT95@aol.com Date: Thu, 21 Mar 1996 20:08:05 -0500 Subject: Are You a Teacher? If So, Please Read! TEACHING FROM THE SHADOWS Homophobia, Homohatred and Heterosexism in the Public School System Now entering the project's last phase! "Teaching from the Shadows" is a nonfiction book about gay, lesbian and bisexual teachers, K-12, who daily combat the negative effects of the closet. Or, if teachers are lucky enough to be out at school, then they have another set of challenges. Regardless of a gay or lesbian teacher's status, the education system's oppressiveness takes a toll. I would like to hear from gay or lesbian teachers across the US. After almost 200 teachers have been interviewed, and research accumulated, the book is almost ready to enter its final revision. But because of the volatile political and educational climates in this election year, I'm "blitzing" once more for teachers who may have missed earlier calls. If you're interested in a phone interview (at the author's expense), please email me as soon as possible. Then, we can set up a convenient time for me to call. Thanks very much for your interest and assistance. Dann Hazel GLIT95@aol.com DannH54@aol.com PO Box 781 Summerville, SC 29484 803.871.7123 *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+ YOU MAY RE-POST. Jessea Greenman The P.E.R.S.O.N. Project (Public Education Regarding Sexual Orientation Nationally) CHECK THIS OUT FOR TONS OF INFO - - http://www.youth.org/loco/PERSONProject/ Please cc us (for our files) on correspondence you send or receive re our action alerts. ** NC Mobilization '96 has launched a web-accessible campaign to unseat North Carolina's Senator Jesse Helms. Organizers are asking both NC residents AND non-residents to pitch in, and you can do so at