Date: Tue, 07 Sep 1999 16:53:49 -0700 From: Jean Richter Subject: 9/7/99 P.E.R.S.O.N. Project news 1. UT: State health curriculum sets strict limits on sex education 2. CA: Letter urging rejection of antigay scare teaching ======================================================================== Date: Tue, 17 Aug 1999 08:51:48 -0700 From: Jessea NR Greenman The below information is for readers wishing to convey their thoughts on Utah's "sex education" policy: Utah State Board of Education CONTACT PERSON Twila B. Affleck, Secretary to the Board. Email: taffleck@usoe.k12.ut.us. Phone: (801) 538-7517. Fax: (801) 538-7768. Utah State Board of Education, 250 E. 500 S., Salt Lake City, UT 84111. Deseret News, August 16, 1999 Box 1257,Salt Lake City,UT,84110 (Fax 801-237-2121 ) (E-MAIL: letters@desnews.com ) ( http://www.desnews.com ) Classes on sex get clear limits State board defends lessons By Diane Urbani, Deseret News staff writer When school starts later this month, Utah teens will begin learning the state's new health core curriculum - a curriculum educators hope will prepare them for an increasingly complex world. [Deleted article. filemanager@qrd.org] ================================================================================= [and don't forget to urge your legislators to support AB 537, the latest version of the Dignity for All Students Act...] San Francisco Examiner, August 17, 1999 P. O. Box 7260,San Francisco,CA,94120 (Fax 415-512-1264 ) (E-MAIL: letters@examiner.com ) ( http://www.examiner.com ) Letter: Protect all children from anti-gay scare teaching Regarding your editorial, "The money changers" (Aug. 9), exposing the hypocrisy of the Rev. Lou Sheldon and his Traditional Values Coalition: They and other rabid religious fundamentalists have made millions of dollars scaring people and promoting hatred of lesbians and gays as irreligious pedophiles. It's time to talk real family values. When the Dignity for All Students Act banning discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in public schools was defeated in the California Assembly this year by one vote, Sheldon said, "One thing we are monolithic about is defending our children." The irony is that the act would have protected children of lesbian and gay parents from children indoctrinated by "family values" parents. Studies show that little kids enter elementary school knowing the words "faggot" and "gay" mean something bad. Hate does not come naturally to children. It is taught. If those on the religious right are truthful in denying they are spreading hate and inciting violence, why do they oppose coverage of sexual orientation in hate crimes legislation? They invoke their right to free speech, but would deny lesbians and gays the same rights by advocating censorship of our publications. They demand freedom of religion for themselves but deny us such freedom when they bar the Metropolitan Community Church from membership in the National Council of Churches. Lesbian and gay families teach our children love, not hate; telling the truth, not lies; tolerance, not bigotry, and compassion, not aggression. Boys are taught non-violent negotiation skills instead of using their fists or weapons to resolve conflict. It would be far more productive if Lesbian and Gay parents could get together with other parents at PTA meetings to compare notes on real family values such as child rearing, and help each other to stop school violence by teaching all our children respect and sensitivity to one another's differences. - Del Martin, Phyllis Lyon, San Francisco ================================================================================ Jean Richter -- richter@eecs.berkeley.edu The P.E.R.S.O.N. Project (Public Education Regarding Sexual Orientation Nationally) These messages are archived by state on our information-loaded free web site: http://www.youth.org/loco/PERSONProject/