Helms Launches Anti-Gay Blitz
On August first, the U.S. Senate voted to cut off federal funds to any school
district offering programs "that have either the purpose or effect of
encouraging or supporting homosexuality as a positive lifestyle alternative."
 The amendment to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act passed 63-36.
 The amendment sponsored by Senators Jesse Helms and Bob Smith also bans
"counseling or other services on school grounds, or referral of a pupil to an
organization that affirms a homosexual lifestyle." 
In a counter move Senator Ted Kennedy sponsored an amendment to that would
cut off federal funds to schools that "promote or encourage sexual activity,"
heterosexual or homosexual.  This amendment passed 99-0.  Kennedy's amendment
is intended to negate Helm's.  The two will be discussed by a joint committee
of the House and Senate of which Kennedy is co-chair.  So it is likely that
Helm's amendment will never make it out of committee.
What is alarming, however, is the fact that any of this occurred.  63
senators in Washington have willfully attacked gay and lesbian teens who are
already struggling for their lives.  And if Kennedy's amendment successfully
negates Helm's,  it can still be used on the local level to support the
misapprehension that instruction in human sexuality is somehow equivalent to
promoting sexual intercourse.
Tell your congress person that you will not tolerate the Senate's attack on
teenagers who already face the highest suicide rate of any population.  Helms
is attempting to 'educate' the Senate and nation with his homophobia.  He is
currently introducing six new anti-gay amendments to the Senate Labor Health
and Human Services Appropriations Bill.  He will continue this blitz until he
is amendments are defeated.  He must be stopped!
Call your senators and representatives.  Call the Capitol Switchboard at
916-322-9900 for their numbers.  

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