Date: Fri, 9 Feb 1996 06:20:28 -0800 From: jessea@uclink2.Berkeley.EDU (Jessea NR Greenman) Subject: UTAH Alert; GA House bill targets gays Since federal law prohibits the state from discriminating against gay and lesbian clubs at Utah schools, then some Utah senators say the state should eliminate all extracurricular clubs at all public schools. Senators invited state school superintendent, the commissioner of higher education and representatives of the Utah Attorney General's Office to a closed meeting in late January to discuss litigation strategies the state could take to close the extracurricular clubs. At the secret meeting some conservative senators are reported to have made wild accusations that teachers are advocating homosexuality among school students. Senators from both parties discussed the issue during a closed caucus that addressed litigation the state may instigate concerning the matter. Exactly what kind of lawsuit would be filed was not disclosed. The details of the debate - and the legality of the forum - remain murky, and the secrecy surrounding the caucus was disturbing to many. Typically, closed caucuses exclude Democrats. When majority Republicans close a caucus, they ask the Democrats to leave. This time they specifically asked them to attend. Sen. Howard Stephenson, R-Draper, was among the conservative contingent that asked educators to answer allegations that homosexual activity is being promulgated in Utah schools. Lawmakers watched about three minutes of a videotape compiled by proponents of an anti-gay initiative in Oregon. The controversy stems from an attempt by a group of East High School students to organize a gay and lesbian club. Conservative lawmakers and parents were outraged and demanded school officials reject the club. However, they were told federal law prohibits any discrimination as to the type of clubs that can be organized. Ironically, it was conservative U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, who pushed legislation in 1985 that guaranteed that clubs could not be discriminated against. At that time, it was religious clubs that were under attack in many states. As a result of this legislation, officials can no longer restrict the types of clubs organized for extracurricular purposes. The Salt Lake City Board of Education has instructed its attorney to write two policy drafts regarding the proposed East High gay and lesbian club, one that would eliminate all non-curriculum clubs and another that would ensure all such clubs are treated equally. The latter could include the use of parental permission slips, so long as they are required of all clubs. The state Board of Education also directed state superintendent Scott Bean to ``review and research all available means to restore power to local boards of education to have complete control over the formation of school-based clubs.'' [The P.E.R.S.O.N. Project believes that the right wing in many states will start, if they haven't already, efforts to circumvent this important 1985 federal protection for ALL high school clubs. Therefore, we urge you to contact the following regarding the high school club issue to point out the illegality and unconstitutionality of evading the law: State School Superintendent Scott W. Bean State Office of Education 250 E. 5th St. Salt Lake City UT 84111 801-533-7500 Twila B. Affleck, Secretary to the Utah Board of Education (ask that ALL Board members be copied on your message) Email: Phone: (801) 538-7517. Fax: (801) 538-7768. Utah State Board of Education, 250 E 500 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84111. Also contact the President of Utah's Senate: Sen. Lane Beattie (R) District 23 Capital contac info: 319 State Capitol Salt Lake City, Utah 84114 District contact info: 1313 N. 1100 W. (H)801 292-7406 West Bountiful, UT 84087 (O)801 298-7000 ================ ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Thu, 1 Feb 1996 08:47:28 -0500 (EST) > > This is a verbatim forwarding from Southern Voice. > > > A bill before the Georgia legislature would technically make it a > crime for a gay group to meet at a building owned by the University of > Georgia or a book mentioning gay sex to be housed in a state-funded > library. > The measure, House Bill 694, would make it a crime to use state > money or facilities to promote anything in violation of a state law. The > law is reportedly intended to outlaw the use of state money to promote > homosexuality, which is in volation of the state's sodomy law. > The bill is currently in the Senate appropriations committee. To > voice your opposition to the bill, contact Sen. George Hooks, charman of > the Sentate Apprpriations Committee, at 404-656-0065, or write to him at > the State Capitol, Atlanta, GA 30334. [The P.E.R.S.O.N. Project adds: If you would like to write Governor Miller, please do so at Room 203, State Capitol, Atlanta, Georgia 30334. Governor's Office Tel: (404) 656-1776. EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT FOR EDUCATION POLICY Mr. Glenn Newsome, Room 245, State Capitol, Atlanta, Georgia 30334 The regular state legislative session runs from Jan-08 to Mar-01. A list of all legislators' contact info is at http://www.gahouse.com/docs/member/member.htm Home Page for the Senate http://www.state.ga.us/Senate/ Senate Education Committee members are Marable of the 52nd - Chairman Oliver of the 42nd - Vice Chairman Isakson of the 21st - Secretary Balfour of the 9th Land of the 16th Madden of the 47th Middleton of the 50th Newbill of the 56th Ragan of the 11th Ralston of the 51st Scott of the 36th Slotin of the 39th Starr of the 44th Tanksley of the 32nd Home Page for the House of Representatives http://www.state.ga.us/House/ House Education Committee members are John Godbee - Chairman Maretta Taylor - Vice Chairman Earl O'Neal - Secretary Kathy Ashe Donna Brooks Tom Campbell Brooks Coleman Bettieanne Hart Carolyn Hugley Gail Johnson Mitchell Kaye Ken Poston Ann Purcell Tom Sherrill Georganna Sinkfield Charlie Smith Sharon Trense John White Jeff Williams] *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+ YOU MAY RE-POST. Jessea Greenman The P.E.R.S.O.N. Project*; ph/fax: 510-601-8883, 586 62nd St. Oakland, CA 94609-1245 CHECK THIS OUT FOR LOADS OF INFO: http://www.youth.org/loco/PERSONProject/ The P.E.R.S.O.N. Project is *always* looking for volunteer organizers. Please cc us (for our files) on correspondence you send or receive re our action alerts. *Public Education Regarding Sexual Orientation Nationally.