Date: Tue, 06 Apr 1999 18:46:29 -0700 From: Jean Richter Subject: 4/6/99 P.E.R.S.O.N. Project news, pt. 2 1. CA: Urgent - action needed ASAP on AB 222 ======================================================= [please make a special effort to contact those legislators targeted by the RRR below:] From: frclists@mail.townhall.com >Subject: CultureFacts Special Action Alert >Date: Tue, 6 Apr 1999 18:06:14 -0400 > >CultureFacts >Special Edition >April 6, 1999 > >Special Action Alert > >The homosexual curriculum bill, AB 222, will be heard in >the Assembly Education Committee on Wednesday, April 7 at >1:30 p.m. > >AB 222, introduced by lesbian activist Sheila Kuehl >(D-Santa Monica), would punish religious schools that don't >adopt pro-homosexual policies. On January 26, Assemblymen >Sheila Kuehl introduced AB 222, which would add "sexual >orientation" to the nondiscrimination codes of public >schools, colleges and universities, and would authorize >state officials to crack down on schools that resist. The >so-called "Dignity for All Students Act" would prohibit non- >compliant schools - including private religious schools - >from being able to receive or participate in any program >receiving state financial assistance. > >This is not the first attempt to pass such legislation, >according to Randy Thomasson of Capitol Resource Institute >(CRI). "AB 222 is nearly identical to [Kuehl's] AB 101, >the bill that we defeated two years ago," said Thomasson. >"If passed, this bill would open a Pandora's Box of >homosexual and bisexual notions to impressionable >schoolchildren." > >The bill requires the adoption of "policies directed toward >creating a school environment in kindergarten and grades 1 >to 12, inclusive, that is free from discriminatory >attitudes, practices and acts of hate violence." > >It also requires giving state grants to school districts >and county education agencies for the development of >programs and curricula "that pro-mote understanding, >awareness, and appreciation of the contributions of people >with diverse backgrounds." > >Thomasson said, "In addition to homosexual curriculum and >programs for children as young as kindergarten, it could >squelch the free speech of religious teachers, and on- >campus religious groups, and result in the banning of >private religious schools from public school athletic >leagues." > >While support for AB 222 is being promoted under the guise >of "tolerance," the bill is anything but tolerant. "This >is about forcing the homosexual agenda on kindergartners >and elementary and secon-dary schoolchildren," Thomasson >said. > >Without public outcry, the bill could easily pass. Such >are the expectations of Sheila Kuehl's office, which >reported that Governor Gray Davis "promised to sign the >legislation [AB 222] if it arrived on his desk." > >Brad Dacus, President of Pacific Justice Institute, sees >passage of the bill as a possibility. "This bill is even >uglier than AB 101, which was narrowly defeated last >session," said Dacus. With individuals in favor of the >homosexual agenda "in full con-trol of the legislature and >governor-ship, this bill, absent outrage from Californians, >will be signed into law by October." Should AB 222 become >law, Dacus says he is ready to "challenge this bill in the >courts." > >For additional information on AB 222, contact Capitol >Resource Institute at (916) 498-1940, or visit their >website at www.capitolresource.org. Pacific Justice >Institute can be reached at (916) 857-6900, or by visiting >www.pacificjustice.org. > >------------------ > >ACT NOW! > >According to CRI, the following people need to be contacted >and urged to oppose AB 222 (all Assembly numbers start with >916-319-____): > >*Lou Correa (D-Santa Ana/Anaheim) ph: 2069, fax: 2169 > >*George Nakano (D-Torrence/LA South Bay) ph: 2053, fax: 2153 > >*Nell Soto (D-Pomona/Ontario/Chino) ph: 2061, fax: 2161 > >*Scott Wildman (D-Glendale/Burbank) ph: 2043, fax: 2143 > >*Carl Washington (D-Compton/Paramount) ph: 2052, fax: 2152 > >*Jim Cunneen (R-Silicon Valley) ph: 2024, fax: 2124 > >Urge members to oppose this attack. AB 222 is merely a >vehicle for the promotion of homosexuality in public >schools. > >It is unnecessary and will cause unthinkable hardships for >parents of schoolchildren. > >CultureFacts is: Robert H. Knight, Senior Editor; Peter J. >LaBarbera, Editor; Kenneth L. Ervin, II, Assistant Editor; >and Contributing Staff: Robert E. Regier, Yvette C. Cantu, >and West Coast Correspondent Frank V. York. > >To sign up your friends for four free issues of >CultureFacts, fill out this form for each person and fax it >to us at (616) 394-5254, or call us at 1-800-225-4008. > >Full name___________________________________ > >Address____________________________________ > >City__________________ State______ Zip code ____________ > >Daytime phone number:________________________ > >Fax number __________________________________ > >E-mail Address _______________________________ > >Preference: Please send CultureFacts to my friend by > >Fax ______ E-mail ______ PRESS ADVISORY CONTACT: Jennifer Richard 916 319 2041 For Immediate Release Robert Perez 415 215 8473 Dignity for All Students Act to be Heard in Education Committee, Students and Parents Urge Passage of AB 222 (Kuehl) WHO: Assemblymember Sheila Kuehl (D-Santa Monica) Allysa Marie Rooker, 20, and her mother Kathleen Stefani from Vacaville. Greg VanderPol, 17, a straight student from El Dorado County. Ruth Bukowiecki, Executive Director, Community United Against Violence. Cecilia Mansfield, California State PTA & others. As a high school student in Vacaville Alyssa Marie was verbally harassed, pushed up against the lockers, spit on and had her possessions repeatedly vandalized simply because she was perceived to be gay. At the time Alyssa was not "out" as a lesbian. Many of these instances took place in the presence of teachers, but no action was taken. She and her mother will urge to Education committee to stop the discrimination and harassment against students actually or perceived to be gay or lesbian. While a sophomore in High School, Greg experienced harassment based on perceived sexual orientation even though he identifies as straight. He was constantly verbally harassed and even had a lab stool thrown at him in science class. Studies show that four out of five youth, threatened or assaulted because they are perceived to be gay, actually identify as straight. Greg recently decided to stand up to his attackers and founded a gay straight alliance on his high school campus and recently participated with 700 other students in a lobby day in support of AB 222. Ruth Bukowiecki, Executive Director of Community United Against Violence, will talk about the study released April 6, 1999 that shows an 18% increase in hate crimes against northern California youth under 18, because of their actual or perceived sexual orientation. She will talk about how unchecked harassment and discrimination can quickly escalate into hate violence. WHAT: AB 222 (Kuehl), sponsored by the California Teacher's Association and the California Alliance for Pride and Equality, would add sexual orientation to the classes protected against discrimination in existing education codes. These sections of the education code prohibit arbitrary discrimination based upon race, gender, religion and disability, and are meant to ensure a safe and secure learning environment for all students. AB 222 (Kuehl) will be heard April 7, 1999 in Assembly Education Committee. WHEN: Wednesday, April 7, 1997 12:30 PM WHERE: Room 1190, State Capitol Jennifer Richard, Consultant, Office of Assemblymember Sheila Kuehl, State Capitol, Sacramento, CA 95814. e-mail: Jennifer.Richard@asm.ca.gov direct line: (916)319-2346, fax:(916)319-2141 =========================================================================== 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/