(3/25/11)
I realized I had to cover safety first and define "sexual minorities" before I could move on to "hate crimes", "bias motivation crimes" and the fair enforcement of our laws and ordinances.
This first document was, for me, an amazing read...voicing my opinion on the whole thing quite eloquently.
Furthermore, what it says about community advisory boards with hand-selected promoters of the gay agenda is exactly what I found to be true regarding the establishment of our own Palmer High School's Gay/Straight Alliance. Looking back, it was the big gay gateway into Colorado Springs, and failed the Tanner Test on every single level. Of course Jan sat on that long ago committee...and I found ties connecting other of its members to the Gulf Coast Archive and Museum of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgendered History, Inc....Swing Clubs of America...and Whips, Inc.
I'm working on a stand-alone piece about the Palmer's Gay/Straight Alliance, and will go into further detail there.
I'm thinking I'll cover "sexual minorities" and discrimination in detail first before moving on to laws and ordinances.
Ciao for now.
Keep in mind John Weiss' influence and impact as you look through the second document, and keep it in context with this information from Inside/Out Youth Services, an organization he helped found. The document below gives voice to the values embraced and endorsed by Richard Skorman, his friend John Weiss, their backers and their supporters.
I am of entirely unlike mind, however...and giving voice to my being so does not a hate crime make...nor is it any more indicative of "bias motivation crime" on my part than it is when gays voice their opposition to the beliefs and tenets to which I do subscribe.
If it required of gays so much strength, pride and courage to come out and announce their sexual preferences to the world unasked; to become one with their "gender identity" and "sexual orientation" and wear it like some glorious shining badge of honor...then why are they *so* thin-skinned and easily hurt by every single little straw they can grasp at and paint red with "HATE"?
Skorman as mayor would tilt this town crazily to the left; it would be like having our very own, locally-incubated Obama. Isn't the one enough?
If you are like me, and loathe to promote all of this stuff as A-ok to your children and our society, then I ask that you do whatever you can -- motivate your friends, relatives and loved ones to get out their vote and stop Skorman from being elected to office.
The Problem, The Possibility, The Vision
The Problem:
For every 1 youth who is bullied because of their actual sexual orientation or gender expression – 4 straight kids are bullied because of their perceived sexual orientation or gender expression. Across America, youth violence and discrimination in the classroom and on the streets is robbing our future.
20 percent to 40 percent of the U.S. homeless teen population is comprised of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth. (While Inside/Out is not a residential shelter, we have provided safety, acceptance and support to 22 homeless youth so far in 2010.)
Nearly 9 out of 10 LGBT students nationwide experience harassment at school because of their sexual orientation or gender expression. (Gay Lesbian & Straight Education Network, 2007 National School Climate Survey)
Truancy rates are 5 times higher among LGBT students. One third of LGBT students miss school monthly because they feel unsafe (GLSEN)
LGBT youth who are rejected by their families are 9 times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers (Inside/Out provides suicide prevention services and an accepting community to reduce this number)
The Possibility:
“People should be free to love who they choose. Don’t judge others based on who they date.” — Hannah, 16-year-old ally —
Education, empowerment and advocacy makes a real difference for LGBTIQ youth. When youth feel safe, accepted and supported, they gain a positive sense of self and are more successful students and citizens.
Gay Straight Alliances in schools improve physical safety, academic performance and add a sense of belonging for all students. Inside/Out empowers students who are interested in starting GSAs, and we advocate on their behalf with school administrations.
Students from schools with harassment policies that specify sexual orientation and gender expression skip school less often and are less frequently harassed. We support inclusive policies in all schools, and we meet with teachers, administrators and others to share promising practices for implementation.
The Vision:
Every street we walk, classroom we enter, business we buy from is a safe place where youth are respected.
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Questioning youth are safe, feel a sense of connection and have the skills and tools they need to chart their own destinies. Society affirms their worth as individuals and as participants in the community.
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