NC Family Policy Council Attacks LGBT Youth; Equality NC & Safe Schools NC gear up to lobby State Board of Education

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From Equality NC News http://eqfed.org/equalitync/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=3649825 Ocotber 11, 2005 - Equality NC has learned that the far-right NC Family Policy Council is trying to get the State Board of Education to remove anti-discrimination protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students from the Board's standards for school counselors and school social workers. These standards were developed by highly trained professionals who know that counselors and social workers can't fully serve all students without a clear understanding of discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Because of the discrimination many LGBT young people face every day in their schools, communities and even homes, they are especially likely to need the services of these school professionals. Our young people deserve to know that their counselor or social worker will follow clear, non-discriminatory standards in helping them and never expose them to unscientific, religion-based bigotry. Equality NC is working with the State Board of Education and the Superintendent of Public Instruction to ensure that inclusive policies are adopted at the Board's meeting in early November. For more information and on ways you can help, please visit: www.equalitync.org To join Equality NC's "Action Alert" newsletter please visit: http://eqfed.org/equalitync/join.html ------- The Triangle Gay/Straight Alliance Network (TGSAN) of SafeSchoolsNC to host state-wide youth gathering October 22nd On October 22, members of the Triangle Gay-Straight Alliance Network are rallying the support of the entire LGBTQA (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, and Allied) community of North Carolina, as well as all supportive youth organizations that represent youth of diverse backgrounds. This is an unprecedented state-wide gathering of youth and adults who care about social justice and want to make schools safer for everyone. We are going to march to the capitol in Raleigh to hear awesome speakers and rockin' bands, and then petition the State Board of Education to adopt a bullying policy that includes reference to LGBTQ youth, as well as youth of other minorities. Below you will find everything you need to get your organization prepared for the rally, as well as details about what we're trying to accomplish, and logistical info about when and where the rally will be. This rally will be a great opportunity to get your group geared up for more and more active work in your community! For more information visit: http://www.safeschoolsnc.com/tgsannew/details.asp?ID=47 ------ The NC Family Policy Council's original article on this issue can be found on their website at: http://www.ncfpc.org/stories/051007s1.html