Date: Thu, 16 May 1996 06:38:00 -0700 (PDT)
From: jessea@uclink4.berkeley.edu (Jessea NR Greenman)
Subject: NEA LG co-chair's comments on new diversity language || news flash re MA school
 photo exhibit

here's commentary from the current (or recent) co-chair
of the NEA's LG Caucus re the change in NEA diversity
resolution language;
>      Dear Mike,
>     I only have a minute  right now and wish I had longer to respond to
>     your concerns about the proposed changes in the NEA  Resolutions.
>     However, I will just give you a few thoughts and perhaps we can be in
>     touch later.
>
>     First, it is my opinion that the support of NEA leadership for
>     Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual History month and for all issues around human
>     and civil rights for sexual minorities peoples is stronger now than
>     ever before.
>
>     The "rumor" that you heard was a reaction to the proposed wording
>     changes in the resolutions, which melds the appreciation and
>     protections for all types of diversity into one  very strongly worded
>     resolution.  Some feel that we may "lose" B-9.  In actuality, we gain
>     language calling for an end to discrimination in teacing materials, an
>     end to institutional discrimination and an integration of accurate
>     protrayals of gays and lesbians throughout all curriculum, all
>     year-long.
>
>     These are things that we did not have under B-9.  Plus, we maintained
>     the protections that were afforded within the old resolution.
>
>     There is no real loss here.  It is only perceived by those who need to
>     see the words "Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual History Month" actually stated
>     in these conceptual documents.  The ethnic minority caucuses and the
>     women's caucus also "lost" those words in this effort to strengthen
>     NEA's position on human and civil rights and to foster unity in our
>     diversity.
>
>     Mike, there is truly more strength in unity, but not in sameness.  I
>     spoke about this in my comments in the May newsletter a little more
>     completely.
>
>     That is my brief reply to your questions.  Please get back in touch
>     with me with your thoughts and ideas.  Unfortunately, my partner is
>     critically ill and I am not always the most expedient respondent.  But
>     if you are patient, I will try.
>
>     Good luck to you in this last part of the academic year!!
>
>     Bonnie Cullison
>     Bullison@aol.com
======================================
 BOSTON (May 15, 1996 7:00 p.m. EDT) -- A federal judge has denied the
   petition of a group of parents to halt an exhibition of photographs
   and text about the children of gay and lesbian parents now being shown
   in the library of an Amherst, Mass. elementary school.
   It is not yet known whether the plaintiffs would push for
   a trial in the federal court.

[ the federal court is better than
    the state court for our side, since in federal court the issue would
   be decided as a question of freedom of expression.  the school's
   governing board has not taken an official position on the issue.
   Unofficially, it was the position of the School Committee, after viewing
   it, that the exhibit "seemed appropriate for schools as long as it was
   presented in accordance with our controversial issues policy," which
   gives students or their parents the right "not to participate."]
==================================

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OK TO RE-POST.  Jessea Greenman <jessea@uclink4.berkeley.edu>
The P.E.R.S.O.N. Project (Public Education Regarding Sexual Orientation
Nationally)
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