AFA of PA ACTION ALERT
January 24, 2011
Issues (check corresponding number in ‘Details’ and ‘Action’ Sections)
1.) What’s Your School Doing This Week?
2.) Next Stop for Repeal of Obamacare is the Senate
Details
1.) Back in 2004 the Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network (then under the watchful eye of Kevin Jennings – the guy who’s currently President Obama’s ‘Safe Schools Czar’) had an idea to reach into middle schools with the message that ‘gay is okay.’ Jennings had successfully infiltrated high schools for years through Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) clubs and the annual Day of Silence each April. Using James Howe’s book The Misfits, about four friends who are teased about being overweight, being too tall, too smart and another about being ‘gay,’ as inspiration GLSEN introduced the nation’s middle schools to “No Name Calling Week.” Mr. Howe is best known for his children’s books Bunnicula (and the series that followed) and Howliday Inn. Before writing The Misfits and its sequel Totally Joe, Mr. Howe announced he was homosexual. This announcement destroyed his family.
This week is GLSEN’s “No Name Calling Week” (NNCW). It does sound benign, but a closer look reveals something else. Here’s their list of partners, supporters and allies including Planned Parenthood, American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, COLAGE (Children of Lesbian and Gays Everywhere), National Education Association and PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays), but especially note the educational organizations that have partnered with GLSEN!
Click here for information on their lesson plans and, as you will see, NNCW has expanded beyond middle school to K-12. Check the lessons plans and the amount of class time recommended for each lesson by clicking on the “More Info” box on the lesson plan pages. Why are our tax dollars – we pay for the school day – being used for these lessons? Click here for GLSEN’s homepage. Check this website out thoroughly; you will see how well organized they are to get the message out to our kids that ‘gay is okay.’ Scroll clear to the bottom of their homepage for a list of their sponsors to see where they get some of their funding.
2.) At 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 25th the US Senate will begin its session for the 112th Congress. As you recall the House passed the repeal of Obamacare last Wednesday, it’s now the Senate’s turn to vote for repeal, but Senator Harry Reid has said he will not bring it to the floor for a vote. Click here for the AFA of PA 2-minute Weekly Update for more information on the repeal vote.
Action Steps
1.) Contact your child’s school to see if they will be participating in No Name Calling Week this week. If so, ask to see the material and consider opting your child out of the lessons.
2.) Contact Senators Bob Casey, Jr. and Pat Toomey and ask them to approach Senator Reid about bringing HR 2 to the Senate floor for a vote. Click here for contact info.