Date: Tue, 13 Oct 1998 15:08:14 -0700 From: Jean Richter Subject: 10/13/98 P.E.R.S.O.N. Project news 1. GLSEN's Kevin Jennings to appear in virtual town hall meeting 2. WY: Action alerts and more statements on Matthew Shepard's murder 3. DC: Kevin Jennings to speak at vigil for Matthew Shepard ===================================================================== Date: Mon, 12 Oct 1998 15:56:15 -0700 Subject: GLAAD Online Reminder: VIRTUAL TOWN MEETINGS FOR LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL and TRANSGENDER HISTORY MONTH From: "Channel Q News" Please join GLAAD this Tuesday, October 13, 1998 at 5:00 pm PST, 8:00 pm EST when Kevin Jennings, executive director of the Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network (GLSEN) will be featured in a Virtual Town Meeting sponsored by GLAAD and hosted on Gay.Com (www.gay.com). Jennings will discuss his role as editor of the newly published Telling Tales Out of School, a collection of over 30 essays of people of all ages who share their experiences growing up gay, lesbian and bisexual in schools across the country; and as co-producer of Out of the Past, a documentary which traces the emergence of gay men and lesbians in American history. A former teacher himself, Jennings has edited two other books: One Teacher in Ten, featuring essays by lesbian, gay and bisexual teachers, and Becoming Visible, which chronicles the history of the lesbian and gay community. To attend this meeting, please go to http://www.glaad.org/glaad/history-month/index.html or http://www.gay.com/pages/glaad.html Also, on Wednesday, October 21, 1998 at 4:00 pm PST, 7:00 pm EST, Internationally renowned author and veteran activist Rita Mae Brown takes part in a GLAAD-sponsored Virtual Town Meeting in celebration of the 25th anniversary printing of her groundbreaking novel, Ruby Fruit Jungle. This event will also be hosted on Gay.Com (www.gay.com). Brown, who has published numerous novels and was a longtime member of the lesbian activist group known as the Furies, will share her experiences as an author and an activist. To attend this meeting, please go to http://www.glaad.org/glaad/history-month/index.html or http://www.gay.com/pages/glaad.html ============================================================================== Date: Tue, 13 Oct 1998 11:37:06 -0700 From: Jessea NR Greenman Subject: CORRECTED WY Action Alert The P.E.R.S.O.N. Project encourages those outraged by the murder of Matthew Shepard to address their concerns about the lack of anti-homophobia training in Laramie schools and throughout the state of WY to the proper authorities. The P.E.R.S.O.N. Project wrote Wyoming's State Department of Education [WY DOE] several years ago [as we did with all states and the District of Columbia]. Our letter came back with an unsigned hand-written note on it: "Wyoming does not mandate textbooks nor curriculums as we feel it is best that each school district do their own decision-making." Further, the state does not monitor local decision-making processes regarding textbooks and curriculum, according to the WY DOE. Those wishing to provide anti-homophobia materials for consideration for adoption for use in schools are advised by the state to send them directly to the local districts, as the state does not maintain lists, catalogs, etc. School District for Laramie High [the high school the murderers attended] Dr. Charlie Head, Superintendent Albany County School District #1 1948 Grand Ave, Laramie, Wyoming 82070 Phone: 307.721.4400 Laramie Senior High School [high school the murderers attended] 1275 N 11th St, Laramie, Wyoming 82070 Phone: 307.721.4420, Fax: 307.721.4419 E-Mail: spiegelberg@sage.ac1.k12.wy.us Principal: Mr. John Howe Assistant Principal: Dr. Emma Jo Spiegelberg Assistant Principal: Mr. Ken Chance The Wyoming State Department of Education can be found at http://www.k12.wy.us/wdehome.html. Its Office of Equity and Civil Rights can be found at http://www.k12.wy.us/equity/index.html and the two Office of Equity and Civil Rights staff are Ken Hulslander, Consultant (307) 777-3544 and Amanda Mellott, Secretary (307) 777-6231. You may locate all the school districts and schools in the state of Wyoming by going to http://www.asd.com/ This is the American School Directory [ASD] search engine. Simply select WY from the scrolling list of states and then click on "go." HATE CRIMES HAPPEN IN YOUR STATE, TOO! Homophobia is a prejudice largely preventable by education. USE THE ASD TO CONTACT SCHOOL DISTRICTS, THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, AND LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS THERE, ALSO, TO URGE ADOPTION OF ANTI-HOMOPHOBIA CURRICULAR MATERIALS. Also, check out The P.E.R.S.O.N. Project web site [www.youth.org/loco/PERSONProject/ ] for in-depth information on your state. Date: Mon, 12 Oct 1998 23:10:49 -0500 From: Jim Testerman Subject: Shepard release-NEA-GLC News from the NEA/GLC The National Education Assn. Gay and Lesbian Caucus Contact: Jim Testerman, Co-Chair, 717-848-3354 Sharon Miken, Co-Chair, 609-786-9311 NEA Caucus Expresses Sorrow Over Matthew Shepard's Death "There are no words to adequately convey the sorrow and outrage we feel over Matthew Shepard's death."--Jim Testerman, NEA/GLC Co-Chair (WASHINGTON)--"On behalf of the leadership and members of the National Education Association's Gay and Lesbian Caucus, I want to express my sincere condolences to the family of Matthew Shepard and his loved ones," said Jim Testerman, co-chair of the Caucus. "There are no words to adequately express the sorrow and outrage we feel over Matthew's murder." "The caucus joins with other organizations in the gay community in calling for an end to the hate and intolerance toward any minority group," added Testerman. Testerman recalled the recent words of NEA President Bob Chase who reminded educators that anti-gay harassment and abuse is "illegal and will not be tolerated." "Hopefully," said the co-chair, "Schools will finally get it--this is unacceptable. Schools and colleges have a job to do," added Testerman. "Teaching about diversity and acceptance is one of them." ### Date: Tue, 13 Oct 1998 13:27:24 -0700 Subject: NEWS ALERT: PFLAG President Statement on Matthew Shepard's Death From: "Channel Q News" To: qnews@channelq.com PFLAG NEWS ALERT PFLAG NEWS ALERT PFLAG NEWS ALERT For Immediate Release Contact: PFLAG Pres. Paul Beeman (360) 866-2141 PFLAG Exec. Dir. Kirsten Kingdon (202) 638-4200 x211 Statement By PFLAG President on Matthew Shepard's Death "To the parents of Matthew Shepard, we - who are the parents and families of lesbians, gays, bisexual and transgendered persons - grieve with you in your tragic loss. "We understand that this horrible violence might have happened to our child instead of Matthew. We are deeply concerned about those who will be victimized next. Please know that the love of all PFLAG parents is with you in this time of incomparable loss. "And as the families of gays and lesbians, we call on the Christian Coalition to halt right now their new deceptive televised ads, falsely called 'Truth in Love.' "Their campaign of newspaper ads and TV spots depicts lesbian and gay persons as abnormal, sinful, and in need of change. This campaign creates a national climate which says that our beloved family members are morally inferior. And it tacitly sends the message that aggressive behavior against gays will not only be tolerated - but that they deserve it. "Our children do not deserve it. Get to know them and you will find a new revelation about lesbians and gays. You will find they are your teachers and physicians, pastors and coaches, and very often members of your own families. They are fine just the way they are. "We ask all Americans: Examine your own hearts. Like Matthew's parents, we say that the time is now to stop the violence against all of our loved ones - no matter what their race, religion or sexual orientation is. "We cannot let such horrible violence happen again to anyone's child or loved one. It should never have happened to Matthew." - (Rev.) Paul Beeman, PFLAG President and father of a gay son and lesbian daughter Note: Executive Director Kirsten Kingdon (Wash., DC) and PFLAG President Paul Beeman (Olympia, WA) are available at the numbers above. Also contact one of the 425 PFLAG chapters in your area. Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) promotes the health and well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered persons, their families and friends. PFLAG provides an opportunity for dialogue about sexual orientation and gender identity, and acts to create a society that is healthy and respectful of human diversity. PFLAG affiliates are located in 425 communities in the U.S. and abroad. ============================================================================ Date: Tue, 13 Oct 1998 16:00:06 -0400 From: Jon Strickland Subject: GLSEN/DC Alert: Matthew Shepard >> Wednesday (10/14/98:7:00) Vigil/Memorial at US Capitol Bldg, DC Hello, Gentle People: I am sure that you have been following the tragic news about Matthew Shepard these past few days. The sadness seems to weigh heavily on me even as I type this, but we have an opportunity to "stand and deliver" on Wednesday night. Please, if you CAN be there, please do so. We need to count ourselves among the lucky who have survived this kind of hatred and "be counted" in the numbers who will stand to fight this kind of prejudice and hatred. I have already sent GLSEN/DC's condolances to Matthew's family after following his story on the hospital's website. Please join us now in carrying Matthew's name to the Houses of Congress and calling on them to do something on a national level to keep this from happening again. Same sky. Jon Strickland GLSEN/DC Co-Chair TenorOne@cheerful.com www.glsendc.org Subject: Vigil for Matthew Shepard in Washington, D.C. Date: Tue, 13 Oct 98 13:19:38 +0100 x-sender: janderson@trudy.digitopia.com From: Jim Anderson To: News from GLSEN Sender: ............................................................ An important message from GLSEN-Alert, the electronic news service of GLSEN. The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network -- GLSEN 121 West 27th Street, Suite 804 New York, NY 10001 212-717-0135; 212-727-0254 - fax glsen@glsen.org http://www.glsen.org/ ............................................................ Hello everyone. Please note there will be a major vigil for Matthew Shepard at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 14, at the steps on the west side of the Capitol Building. GLSEN Executive Director Kevin Jennings will give remarks. We encourage local folks to turn out and help remember Matthew Shepard. Jim Anderson Director of Communications (212) 727-0135 x136 janderson@glsen.org ............................................................ Visit the GLSEN Blackboard online: http://www.glsen.org/ Past GLSENAlert posts are archived on the GLSEN Blackboard: http://www.glsen.org/pages/sections/news/glsenalert/ ............................................................ TO SUBSCRIBE OR UNSUBSCRIBE You may add or remove yourself from this mailing list by going to: http://www.glsen.org/pages/sections/news/glsenalert/ If you have problems or questions, you can contact the list server administrator at: ............................................................ Date: Tue, 13 Oct 1998 08:36:01 -0700 Subject: DC Vigil for Matt Shepard on Wed 10/14 From: "Channel Q News" To: qnews@channelq.com ******************************************** NATIONAL GAY AND LESBIAN TASK FORCE ACTION ALERT Contact: Betsy Gressler, Deputy Political Director bgressler@ngltf.org 202-332-6483 2320 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 http://www.ngltf.org ******************************************** WHAT: DC Vigil for Matthew Shepard We will remember Matthew Shepard and renew the call for the passage of the Hate Crimes Prevention Act by Congress, which President Clinton first called for over a year ago. WHEN: Wednesday, October 14, at 7:00 p.m. WHERE: West steps of the US Capitol SPONSORED BY: National Lesbian and Gay Task Force (NGLTF) Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) and other national organizations GUESTS: Helen Hunt Ellen DeGeneres Betty Degeneres and other entertainment figures _____________________________________________________________________ Founded in 1973, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force works to eliminate prejudice, violence and injustice against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people at the local, state and national level. As part of a broader social justice movement for freedom, justice and equality, NGLTF is creating a world that respects and celebrates the diversity of human expression and identity where all people may fully participate in society. _________________________________________ ============================================================================= The truth is out there - do your part to spread it! 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/