Date: Thu, 24 Apr 1997 15:51:38 -0700 From: richter@eecs.berkeley.edu (Jean Richter) Subject: 4/24/97 pt. 2 P.E.R.S.O.N. Project news 1. PFLAG offers special Mother's Day gifts 2. NY: Editorial on Niskayuna Gay/Straight Alliance 3. UT: Letter supporting teachers attending GLSTN conference ================================================================== Date: Wed, 9 Apr 1997 06:24:55 -0700 From: EBOakPFLAG@aol.com Subject: Fwd: Special Mother's Day Gift For next month, pass the word -- --------------------- Forwarded message: From: communications@pflag.org Date: 97-04-07 21:27:51 EDT PFLAG offers Mother's Day Gifts of Love and Acceptance Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays is offering you a chance to show your mother how much you appreciate her love, acceptance and understanding. This special PFLAG gift is tax deductible and includes the quarterly PFLAG newsletter, the PFLAGpole, PFLAG's public referral directory; PFLAG's general brochure; a heart and triangle purple lapel pin; your choice of either Our Daughters and Sons or Journey To Gratitude (two of PFLAG's own great publications), and a special Mother's Day membership certificate identifying YOU as the giver. Visa/Mastercard orders can be handled over the phone (202) 638-4200, via email (eharris@pflag.org) and by fax (202) 638-0243. You can also mail personal checks made payable to "PFLAG", 1101 14th street, NW, Suite 1030, Washington, DC 20005. Memberships take 2-3 weeks for delivery and cost $50. ================================================================= The Sunday Gazette, April 6, 1997 2345 Maxon Road Extension, Schenectady, NY 12308 (Fax 518-395-3089, print run 61,402) (E-MAIL: gazette@dailygazette.com)( http://www.dailygazette.com) BOARD MISSES POINT ON INTENT OF VISIBILITY editorial by Kerri Tolokonski, Senior, Niskayuna High School On Feb. 24, the Niskayuna Board of Education voted unanimously against the sanctioning of the club Visibility Gay/Straight Alliance. This decision was made on the grounds of Visibility's "political" nature. It is clearly evident that the school board, and certain members of the community, do not understand the true purpose of this organization. Visibility's goal is to create an environment at Niskayuna High School in which every member of the school community is valued and respected, regardless of sexual orientation. The group provides a place where students who are normally ostracized by their peers can feel accepted. Visibility hopes that its existence will contribute to the safety and well-being of all students. The school board should endorse this mission throughout the district and not shun the group by refusing a sanction. As unpleasant as it may seem, there is a homophobia epidemic in high school. Derogatory comments aimed toward homosexuality are so often heard in the school day that certain vulgarities have become common usage. The prevalence of this type of speech only adds to the acceptance of the verbal abuse many teens combat each day. Regardless of a teen's true sexuality, once a teen is labeled as a homosexual by peers, that student is certain to be harassed. Some students fear coming to school, afraid of what their classmates might say or do to them. Visibility devotes itself to saving students from this type of harassment, and the mere functioning of this organization sends a message to all students - gay, straight or questioning - that sexual harassment is wrong. Members of this group are not just those who have been harassed, but are students who want to see the end of this type of torment. These students wish to protect students from the consequences of bigotry. One school board member fears Visibility as a possible instigator of a political movement at Niskayuna High School. If the board sanctions this club, what is to prevent a neo-Nazi group from existing at the high school as well? But if this member wanted to prevent hate groups from entering this school, he or she would be promoting Visibility. Gay/straight alliances advocate tolerance, and help students learn to get along together peacefully. There is no better way to stop intolerance from corrupting the minds of teenagers than teaching them to respect others. This group is not about advocating the homosexual lifestyle, it is about recognizing the existence of all the students in the community. Other schools, such as Guilderland and Emma Willard, are working to end this trend of homophobia. What is important to remember is that all students have a right to education without intimidation or fear. Students need to feel safe when they come to school in the morning and to leave school grounds without feelings of self-hate. This community needs to act together to build an accepting school environment, in which all students may prosper. ===================================================================== DESERET NEWS, April 5, 1997 Box 1257,Salt Lake City,UT,84110 (Fax 801-237-2121, print run 64,671) (E-MAIL: letters@desnews.com) LETTER: Advocate isn't promoter Glen W. Fassmann (March 31) protests teachers getting credit for attending a gay and lesbian seminar sponsored by the Gay Lesbian Straight Teachers' Network, because they train participants to be ``advocates for gay and lesbian youth,'' ``agents of change,'' and ``straight allies.'' He equates all this with solicitation, which is illegal. Did he notify the police? I agree with Mr. Fassmann that the gay agenda should not be promoted, but I think he took a shortcut through the facts. I don't think it was deliberate, I think it was a misinterpretation. An advocate is not the same as a promoter. An advocate for the poor, for example, is not a promoter of poverty. A criminal advocate is not a promoter of criminality, he is a lawyer of a defendant accused of a crime. An advocate for gays and lesbians is one who defends the rights of gays and lesbians, not one who promotes their lifestyle. I would agree with Mr. Fassmann that sex without responsibility is immoral. But it is my understanding that gays and lesbians do not choose to be what they are, and I would say that this is a different thing. I did not choose to be straight. Did Mr. Fassmann? The government has no business regulating our lifestyles. This used to be considered a conservative attitude. Nowadays it's called liberal. What's in a word? The true purpose of government is to protect its citizens, including gays and lesbians, among others. Gays and lesbians are victims of hate groups. Well-intentioned advocates of morality should be careful not to be unwitting allies of hate groups. About religion not being ``allowed'' in schools - it's sectarianism that's rejected, not values. The law that allows non-academic clubs in schools also allows religious clubs in schools. Don't cut off your noses to spite your faces. Leon Johnson, Salt Lake City ===================================================================== Jean Richter -- richter@eecs.berkeley.edu The P.E.R.S.O.N. Project (Public Education Regarding Sexual Orientation Nationally) CHECK OUT OUR INFO-LOADED WEB PAGE AT: http://www.youth.org/loco/PERSONProject/