| Volume II / Issue 10 / October 2, 2006 www.respectsacramento.org |
|||||
|
|
||||
|
|||||
| 1. From the Editor OCTOBER 11 is National Coming Out Day Join us along with many members of our community at the Crest Theater from 5:30 to 8 pm. Once again our regular meeting date falls on an evening when many of our board members are planning on attending a community event -- National Coming Out Day on the second Wednesday of the month, October 11. We will be attending the festivities at the Crest Theater sponsored by the Sacramento chapter of Parents, Family and Friends, of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), the Sacramento Valley Vets, and the Lambda Community Center and hosted by West Sacramento Mayor Christopher Cabaldon. Food, drink, a movie and fun for all. We hope to see you there, too. |
|
||||
|
|||||
| Governor vetoes bill to protect LGBT students Sept. 29 SACRAMENTO (365gay. com) In a move that infuriated LGBT advocates, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed a bill aimed at curbing bullying in California schools. The Safe Place to Learn Act would have strengthened existing state law prohibiting anti-lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) discrimination and harassment in public schools. "Some California schools are choosing to ignore the current law prohibiting discrimination and harassment of LGBT students and to veto a bill that would help enforce that law is shameful," said Geoff Kors, Equality California executive director. "The governor is ignoring the needs of students who are teased and bullied because they are or are perceived to be LGBT. The governor claims to have spent most of his life fighting discrimination and teaching children about tolerance, yet he has vetoed every bill he has seen that would do just that." Schwarzenegger in a statement said existing law was sufficient, something the bill's author, Assemblymember Lloyd Levine (D- Van Nuys) disputes. "The facts are that LGBT students are more likely than their peers to use drugs or to be victimized by violence, more than twice as likely to seriously consider suicide, and over three times more likely to carry a weapon to school or stay home because they feel unsafe," said Levine. A survey conducted by the California Safe Schools Coalition found that students who are harassed based on actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity are more than three times as likely to report missing at least one day of school in the last 30 days due to feeling unsafe; are twice as likely to report depression and seriously consider suicide; and are more likely to have low grades, be victims of violence or use illegal substances. Earlier this month Schwarzenegger vetoed a school bill that would have prohibited any negative portrayal of gays in textbooks and other instructional material. The bill was an amended version of an earlier one that would have mandated the teaching of LGBT history in state schools that Schwarzenegger warned he would veto. Last year Schwarzenegger vetoed legislation to allow same-sex marriage in California. WI school shooting suspect target of homophobic bullying? Sept. 30 CAZENOVIA WISCONSIN (365gay.com) A 15-year old charged in the Friday shooting death of his high school principal was angry that the man and others at the school had failed to stop classmates from bullying him court documents allege. Principal John Klang, 49, was shot in the head, leg, and torso and later died in hospital. Eric Hainstock is charged as an adult with murder. According to court papers filed late Friday by the prosecutor in Sauk County Circuit Court Hainstock told police after he was taken into custody that students regularly bullied him - calling him "fag" and "faggot" and rubbed up against him. The documents say that the teenager told police he was so frustrated that Klang and teachers would do nothing to stop the harassment he decided to arm himself. More... Georgia court rules for lesbian mom Sept. 28 ATLANTA (365gay.com) The Georgia Court of Appeals has overturned a lower court ruling that awarded custody of a child to its father because the woman lived with a same-sex partner. Victoria Moses and Kelvin King were never married, but had a child together in 1994. Moses and King split up in 2002 and a court awarded custody of the child to Moses with King ordered to pay child support. Two years later, a judge found King in contempt for being nearly two years behind in child support and incarcerated him. The following day King sued to change custody. The court granted the change due to Moses' same-sex relationship and because she was cohabiting with her partner. The court said that it realized same-sex marriage is not legal in Georgia but believed a child should not be placed in a home where people lived outside of wedlock. The ruling also warned King not to have an opposite-sex partner living with him. Moses, with the help of Lambda Legal, filed a motion for a new trial and reaffirmed King's custody but ordered a subsequent hearing to let the child testify. After the child testified that she had no problem with her mother’s partner being in the home, the trial court issued another order, reaffirming a finding of changed conditions, but giving joint physical custody, alternating weeks, and removed restrictions against Moses' partner spending the night. Lambda Legal appealed to the Georgia Court of Appeals to reverse the finding of any changed conditions and to grant primary custody to Moses. In its ruling Thursday the Court of Appeals said that the original ruling was overly restrictive and irrational. "This is really great news for our client and gay and lesbian parents in Georgia," said Jack Senterfitt, Senior Staff Attorney in Lambda Legal's Southern Regional Office in Atlanta. "It means custody arrangements can't be challenged just because a parent is gay or lesbian." King's attorney has not indicated if he will appeal to the Georgia Supreme Court. Gay history month angers Philadelphia parents Sept. 26 PHILADELPHIA (365gay. com) October is LGBT History month but noting it on the Philadelphia school district's calendar has irked some parents. The district sends copies of the calendar to the homes of students and some parents say the reference is promoting sex. "Gay and Lesbian Month? That's sexuality - that's a preference," Nicola Rucker, 41, a mother of two students, ages 9 and 11, told the Philadelphia News.. "In elementary school, most 8- and 9-year-olds don't understand that," she said. "Everybody raises their kids differently. I don't want my 9-year-old son learning about this stuff unless he's old enough to come to me and ask." The calendar also angered Addie Williams, the vice president of the Philadelphia Home and School Council. "As a parent, I do understand why they would want to include everyone," Williams told the news. "But... I personally would not want to announce that or include that in a public setting because I believe in a man and a woman - a mother- and-a-father household." Cecilia Cummings, a spokesperson for the district defends History Month saying it is no different than recognizing months devoted to the history or heritage of African-Americans, Hispanics and Asians. "The school district maintains and upholds Policy 102, which is a multiracial, multicultural gender- education policy," she said. "Basically, it's a policy intent on fostering knowledge and respect for people of all races, ethnic groups, social classes, genders, religions, disabilities and sexual orientations." More... |
|||||
| Respect board member featured in Folsom Telegraph article Rainbow of hope Folsom teen focusing his energy on helping gays Sept. 12 FOLSOM (Folsomtelegraph.com) by Jamie Trump. Sticks and stones never broke his bones, but words have scarred Lance Chih forever. The openly gay teenager is still trying to overcome harassment he said he experienced at Folsom High School three years ago. Instead of spending his time trying to get even, the 19-year-old has focused his energy on helping others. He's now a leading advocate in the gay community both on and off campus and is educating teachers, school staff and students about laws regarding gay students. "I was the second known harassment of a gay student at Folsom High School," Chih said. "I wanted it to stop with me. I am victim No. 2 and I don't want there to be a No. 3. "If I can help one person it will be worth it." Chih said he was a sophomore when the first attack occurred. He was in the school bathroom when someone threw a glass bottle into his stall and called him names for being gay. As word got around campus, Chih said others harassed him. He recalled one time when a student threw rocks at him and screamed profanities in between classes. Another time he said students asked him personal questions about his love life. "After the attacks happened, I was seriously depressed," he said. He did find support in a campus counselor. "I saw the school counselor and she said, 'Do you want to put all your effort into killing yourself or use it to help other people?' I thought about that and realized that what I was doing was not helping anyone," Chih recalled. The next school year, Chih started the Gay-Straight Alliance at Folsom High School, a student-run club that provides a safe place for students to meet, support each other and work to end homophobia. There are 500 clubs in California alone. He then branched outside of Folsom. Chih got involved with what's now called the Sacramento Regional GSA and helped plan a gay-friendly dance for high school students. He joined Respect Sacramento, a grassroots organization also aimed at providing a safe environment for gay students. More... October is LGBT History Month Looking for information on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) history? Try some of these online resources: Wikipedia - LGBT history: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gay_history GLBTQ Encyclopedia: http://www.glbtq.com/ People with a History: http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/pwh/ San Francisco GLBT Historical Society: http://www.glbthistory.org/ New York City LGBT Center: http://www.gaycenter.org/ |
|||||
| 2. Our next meeting -- at the Crest, October 11 As mentioned above, join us with other members of the Sacramento LGBT community at the Crest Theater on October 11 at 5:30 pm. We'll have a table in the lobby for members and friends to come by and chat. We hope you can stop by and celebrate with us. Our next general meeting will be on November 8 at 6:30 pm. |
|||||
| 3. In the classroom, a score of 58% is an "F" From Boyce Hinman, Lambda Letters Project Twelve LGBTI beneficial bills were sent to the Governor this year by the state legislature. That is more LGBTI bills than in any year since the Lambda Letters Project began tracking legislation 18 years ago. The Governor signed 7 of the bills and vetoed 5 of them. That gives him a score of just 58% on LGBTI issues. That is the lowest score on LGBTI issues he has had since the Lambda Letters Project has been scoring him. Here is the list of those bills showing which ones were signed by the Governor. AB 606 Requires school districts to establish and publicize a policy that prohibits discrimination and harassment of LGBTI students. Outcome: Vetoed by Governor. AB 1056 Requires the State Board of Education to create a pilot project integrating instruction on tolerance into existing English language, and social science curriculum. Outcome: Vetoed by Governor. AB 1160 Establishes court rules that reduce the chance of defendants using panic strategies as a way of evading conviction, or to reduce their sentence, in trials for hate crimes against LGBTI people. Outcome: Signed by Governor. AB 1207 Adds to the pledge contained in the Code of Fair Campaign Practices the pledge that the candidate for elective office shall not use gay or transgender-bashing in their political campaigns. Outcome: Signed by Governor. AB 1897 Allows the State Personnel Board to order the state to pay a complainant's reasonable attorney's fees when the state engaged in illegal employment discrimination. Outcome: Vetoed by Governor. AB 2051 Establishes a state funded program to serve domestic abuse victims who are in same sex couples. Increases the registration fee for domestic partners to $23 to pay for the new program. Outcome: Signed by Governor AB 2386 Requires the Secretary of State to post on his website a list of candidates for public office who have signed a voluntary pledge to abide by a Code of Fair Campaign Practices during an election campaign. See related bill (AB 1207) above. Also requires that the pledge be printed in ballot pamphlets and that the pamphlets mention that a list of candidates who took the pledge can be found on the Secretary of State's website. Outcome: Vetoed by Governor. AB 2800 Bans sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination in housing and housing-related areas. Outcome: Signed by Governor. AB 2920 Requires each area agency on aging to include the needs of LGBT seniors in their needs assessment and area plans, and requires the state to provide technical assistance to these agencies for the training of all program staff, contractors, and volunteers regarding the unique needs of LGBT seniors. Outcome: Signed by Governor. SB 1437 Prohibits instruction or school-sponsored activities that reflect adversely upon persons because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Outcome: Vetoed by the Governor. SB 1441 Bans sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination in programs operated or funded by the state. Outcome: Signed by the Governor. SB 1827 Allows, but does not require, registered domestic partners to file joint California Income Tax returns. Outcome: Signed by Governor. |
|||||
| 4. Announcements Sacramento International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival Thursday, October 12 through Sunday, October 15 Thur & Fri @ 7pm | Sat @ 1pm, 4pm, & 7pm | Sun @ 1pm & 6pm Please note the addition of a 4pm screening on Saturday. The Programming Committee was able to secure a wonderful romantic comedy before its official opening in theaters nationwide next year -- too late for inclusion in the printed program, but just in time for the audiences. This will also be a great "freebie" for everyone who buys a Festival Pass! And don't miss "Kings of Drag" about Sacramento's own Tina Reynolds and friends' 2004 butch women's fashion show. For more information, go to www.siglff.org. Book Sale The Lavender Library is holding a book sale Sunday October 1 -- all the books you can put in a grocery bag for only $5. Sale starts at 8 am at The Mercantile, 1928 L Street. For more information, see www.lavenderlibrary.org. Women Take Back the Night Sacramento celebrates its 27th Take Back the Night, an international grassroots event that protests violence against women. The Rally and March begin at 6:30 pm at the State Capitol with a resource fair, live entertainment, a women's and men's march, and closing ceremonies. More information at www.womentakebackthenight.org. Come out with Ally Action - San Francisco ALLY ACTION, formerly GLSEN SF-EB/BANGLE, has been working to make local schools safe for all students, staff and families - regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity/expression - since 1984. Please come help us celebrate our new name, National Coming Out Day and LGBT History Month! Join us for wine, hors d'oeuvres and a evening of community. October 11, 2006 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm GLBT Historical Society 657 Mission Street, Suite 300 San Francisco, CA 94105 Tickets start at $35 and are available online at http://comeoutwithallyaction.mollyguard.com. Space is limited, please RSVP by October 3, 2006. For more information, contact Ally Action at 925-685-5480 or info@allyaction.org. |
|||||
| 5. GSA Network News Re-Register your GSA today - get new resources & keep informed! Before you plan any events for your GSA, remember to register or re-register your group with the GSA Network. Do it NOW to make sure you receive our student resource sheets, FREE posters, other resources, and notifications of future GSA Network or LGBT-related events. (Mailings will go out only to California GSAs in middle and high schools.) Register online at http://www.gsanetwork.org/register/index.html If you have any questions or concerns, contact: Tanya Mayo, Program Director tanya@gsanetwork.org 415-552-4229 Apply for GSA Network Youth Council! It's Cool! GSA Network is accepting applications for new Youth Council members. Go to the website and apply: www.gsanetwork.org/about/ycapp.html |
|||||
| That's enough for now. Did I leave anything out? Please drop me a line. Do you have an announcement or item that you'd like to include in our newsletter? Would you like to write an opinion piece about something in the LGBT education area? Tell us about what's going on in your GSA! Send complaints, comments, or submissions to admin@respectsacramento.org and I will be happy to place it in our newsletter, which is composed at the end of the current month and sent out in the first week of the subsequent month. Make this your newsletter by contributing to it! See you at our next meeting with the community on October 11 at the Crest Theater at 5:30 pm. Jerry O'Connor Respect Sacramento Board Member Respect Sacramento PO Box 191678 Sacramento CA 95819 (916) 733-2135 info@respectsacramento.org www.respectsacramento.org |
Quote Unquote "I am making the same request as Matthew: Register and vote, please. It's your right, your duty, and your future." - Judy Shepard, mother of Matthew Shepard, writing in The Advocate "People on our side of the conversation, who have been silent for a long time, are tired of being silent." - Harry Knox, director of the religion and faith program at the Human Rights Campaign, as quoted in The New York Times/Associated Press |
||||
