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Loading ...NEA calls for LGBT rights
(Washington) The National Education Association adopted two resolutions calling for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights at its annual conference last week.
The resolutions say that the organization opposes the “discriminatory treatment of same-sex couples and its belief that such couples should have the same legal rights and benefits as similarly-situated heterosexual couples.” They also call for the “passage of a federal statute prohibiting federal discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity and expression.” The NEA also committed itself to supporting the enactment of LGBT equality at local, state and federal levels.The NEA falls short of asking for gay marriage – instead, it says:
“NEA does not believe that a single term must be used to designate this legally recognized “equal treatment” relationship, and recommends that each state decide for itself whether “marriage,” “civil union,” “domestic partnership,” or some other term is most appropriate based upon the cultural, social, and religious values of its citizenry.”
The National Education Association is the nation’s largest professional employee organization with over 3.2 million members. Members work at every level of education — from pre-school to university graduate programs.
Read the resolutions yourself, under “New Business Item E.”
Matt and Morgan are pathetic Uncle Toms. You call people whiners who point out that an segregationist form of government for the GLBT community is NOT acceptable. People like you are the Amos and Andy of the GLBT civil rights movement. Get to the back of the bus and stay out of our way.
Thank you TEACHERS…I had a bad teacher who called me little pansy in front of the class…this helps me get some closure(I was in seventh grade and i’m 52 now).
Being a future educator, I would have appreciated a resolution calling for more inclusion of minority history and education- may it be about women, different races, religions or LGBT- in the classroom. That would be nice to hear from an education association like the NEA.
Congratulations America. Education of full equality of all citizens will lead to a much better country in the coming years. Wonderful of the NEA to stand up and take this moral stand. Maybe this will have some effect on the president and congress and push for some action on all the LGBT bills that have stalled in Congress.
The National Education Association has long been an ally of the LGBT community and their support on key issues is welcome. However, we must not believe we can achieve our goals unless everyone of us is prepared to act in some way on key issues. For example, I wonder how many people reading this comment have written at least one letter in the past month to the President, a congressman, a member of parliament or a member of a state or provincial legislature making a firm but polite demand for action on our rights. For example, if President Obama were to get 100,000 letters within the next month supporting repeal of “Don’t Ask; don’t tell (just lie)” you better believe he would be acting quickly. Right now, all the pressure comes from the religious right.
I agree with Morgan. The majority of comments on sites like this and others are angry rejections of any viewpoint inconsistent with a particular mindset. Generally, it is just preaching to the choir and underscoring the minor divisions among approaches of all lgbt people who have the same ultimate goals in mind.
By ignoring the good that this sort of resolution champions and nit-picking by calling out the one clause where the National Education Association doesn’t espouse support for marriage equality shouldn’t mar the good that will come of this.
Even if tomorrow all 50 states passed marriage equality laws, many lgbt activists would still be upset generally because large portions of humanity still have a negative view toward homosexuality. You can’t force everyone to accept it and you shouldn’t let that become a reason to disregard or even bully those who don’t share your viewpoint.
I agree Frances. This is a step in the right direction. The largest employee organization saying they will fight for an inclusive ENDA and repeal of any discriminatory federal law or legislations is a huge deal. I dont like the “we dont believe in a single term” statement but this is a good step. Not a final one.
Even if we get marriage in all 50 states and other useful laws that greatly aid the well-being and equality of our people, there will always be very unhappy folks will never be satified with “even an eventual full feast in front of them at the table.”
They will always find fault “like a finicky cat” no matter what happens.
I understand everyone’s reluctance to accept seperate but equal (since separate is never equal), but at the same time, this is a step forward. In states where LGBT couples have no *no* protection, this would provide some sense of security while everyone works toward the larger goal. I hate cliches, but Rome wasn’t building in a day, and a civil rights movement is not going to get everything it wants in one step. I do think this is a good step on the way to equality.
So does the NEA now believe we should teach that “separate but equal” was a success?
Wow, the NEA doesn’t sound very educated. To suggest that GLBT equality and marriage rights should take a backseat to the farce that is the current patch-work quilt of unequal laws, with no portability nor across the board protections, is an affront to the very lives of same-sex couples everywhere — and it is just plain stupid.
I wonder if they will take the same stand on interracial marriage. Why can’t we just call it Interracial Domestic Partnerships or Interracial Civil Unions or Interracial Reciprocal Benefits Agreement. That should keep the bigots happy and not rock the “status quo” boat too much.
…Oh, wait, that ship has already sailed on the S.S Loving -v- Viriginia Supreme Court decision in 1967.
So, I guess we’ll have to wait too for a SCOTUS decision before our “noble” institutions have the courage to recognize us as truly “equal.
…Hey, they got Obama to turn to in order to justify their apartheid-like whimping out on marriage equality. Our Prez makes homophobia soooo much easier to justify. Aren’t you glad?
Now so-called “liberals” in the straight community don’t have to fight for us nor support our civil rights struggles anymore. The Messiah in the White House is enthroned. We are free!
…actually, we’ve been had!
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“The NEA does not believe that a single term must be used to designate this legally recognized “equal treatment” relationship, and recommends that each state decide for itself whether “marriage,” “civil union,” “domestic partnership,” or some other term is most appropriate based upon the cultural, social, and religious values of its citizenry.”
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…That’s just nonsensical! “Religious Values of it Citizenry?”
Our rights are contingent on other people’s “Religious approval”? Has anyone in the NEA ever read the f*cking US Constitution? You know, that pesky little thing about separation of church and state.
For god’s sake! No wonder our education system is broken!
~ Bud Evans
This is great news. Kansas Equality Coalition has been working with educational groups in Kansas for just this type of legislation. Our Foundation is currently involved in our Fair and Safe Schools Campaign.
http://www.KansasEqualityCoalition.org