Quote

“They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.”

28 February 2011

Safe Schools NC need Representation in Eastern NC



From: Safe SchoolsNC [mailto: safeschoolsnc at gmail dot com]
Sent: Monday, February 28, 2011 9:34 AM

Subject: Safe Schools NC

What can we do to get Safe Schools NC on your blog's list of relevant organizations?  Our website is currently down due to maintenance, however, we are a state-wide organization that works to improve public school environment on the basis of sexuality and gender identity.  I can send you more information if you desire it.

Yesterday we held our February meeting and discussed that we need representation in Eastern NC. If you know of anyone -- LGBT high school or college student, a parent of an LGBT youth, an educator or a dedicated community member -- that you would recommend as a good team player who is familiar with LGBTQ education issues, we would love to hear about them.

Best,
Kathy Staley
Safe Schools NC board president

24 February 2011

FW: SB 106: Next Steps


Equality North Carolina




Yesterday afternoon SB 106, the anti-LGBT constitutional amendment, was introduced in the North Carolina Senate. We asked you to take action in anticipation of this terrible bill, and it has already made a real difference.
Over 3,500 people emailed their senators in opposition to the bill in the last week, in addition to the nearly 200 people who met with legislators at Equality NC's Day of Action and hundreds of others who made phone calls.  Although 23 senators sponsored the bill, a majority of senators (8 Republicans and all 19 Democrats) refused to sponsor this harmful legislation. That is a powerful signal that we can fight this thing and we can win.
You probably have some questions about the bill and what it means, and I'll try to answer some of those below.
First, I want you to know that Equality NC's top priority this year is to defeat this amendment in the legislature. It's a tall order in a tough political climate, but we've beaten the odds before. Our lobbyist, Dean Plunkett, and I are working hard every day to bring legislators on both sides of the aisle to our cause. We are mobilizing and expanding our base of activists across the state and engaging the public to stand up for fairness like never before.
I'll be calling on you to take action frequently in the coming weeks. I hope you can make a commitment right now to send those emails, make those phone calls, and volunteer your time at those critical moments. And I hope you'll enlist your friends, family, and colleagues in protecting all North Carolina families.
To learn more about the anti-gay amendment and what it means, check out the Frequently Asked Questions below.
For Equality,
Ian
Anti-Gay Amendment FAQ
What does the anti-gay* amendment say?
The bill would amend the state constition to include a new section that reads "Marriage between a man and a woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in this State." Click here to see the full text on the legislature's website.
What would the anti-gay amendment do?
The language proposed is the most extreme version of an anti-gay amendment. In addition to limiting marriage to oppositie sex couples, as state statute already does, it would prohibit any other form of relationship recognition, such as civil union or domestic partnership. This kind of language has been used in other states to take away private benefits such as health insurance for LGBT couples, unmarried opposite-sex couples, and their children. This is a not a hypothetical issue but a very real one. These amendments have also been used to challenge other private contracts between couples.
The amendment would not only write the current discriminatory marriage law into the constitution, it would actually take away rights and responsibilities that are currently available to some couples.
Who sponsored the anti-gay amendment?
Primary:James ForresterJerry W. TillmanDan Soucek
Co:Tom ApodacaHarris BlakeAndrew C. BrockHarry BrownWarren DanielJim DavisDon EastThom GoolsbyRick GunnKathy HarringtonRalph HiseNeal HuntBrent JacksonWesley MeredithE. S. (Buck) NewtonLouis PateJean PrestonDavid RouzerBob RuchoTommy Tucker
(Click here to look up who your senator is if you don't know.)
What is the process to amend the constitution?
The bill must pass both the House and Senate by a 3/5ths margin (that's 30 of 50 votes in the Senate and 72 of 120 votes in the House). It would then be placed on the ballot in November 2012 where it would need a simple majority of voters to become part of the constitution. The governor does not have veto authority on constitutional amendments.
What do we call it?
Call SB 106 what it is: "the anti-gay amendment." It's not about "defending" anyone's marriage. It's an attack on LGBT North Carolinians.
What are our key arguments against the amendment?
1.    The anti-gay amendment causes real harm. It harms couples who will be denied even the most basic protections and it harms vulnerable LGBT young people by sending a terrible message that their state and their neighbors consider them second-class citizens unworthy of basic dignity and fair treatment, a message which exacerbates the epidemic of LGBT young people committing suicide.
2.    The anti-gay amendment is bad for business. It intrudes on businesses' right to provide competetive benefits to their employees and it signals to major employers that our state is not welcoming of the diverse, creative workforce that is needed to compete in the global economy.
3.    The anti-gay amendment is a discraction from the voters' priorities. The legislature was sent to Raleigh to tackle jobs, the economy, and the state budget, not to advance a divisive social agenda.
4.    Marriage is already denied same-sex couples by state law. The amendment doesn't change marriage in any way. It simply attacks LGBT North Carolinians and puts their basic rights up for a vote.
5.    Amending the constitution is an extreme act, not a conservative one. Constitutions are designed to protect rights and not to take them away. The rights of a minority should never be put to a majority vote.
What can I do right now to make a difference?
·         Call you state senator (if you haven't already done so in the last week) and your state representative today and let them know you oppose Senate Bill 106, the anti-gay amendment. (You can find their phone numbers here.)
·         Make a contribution to Equality NC to fund our lobbying and community organizing to stop the anti-gay amendment.
·         Help us send a message to the legislature by volunteering to get people in your community to complete postcards to their legislators in opposition to the anti-gay amendment. We'll make it easy and send you a kit with everything you need. Just email postcards@equalitync.org for more information or to sign up to help!
·         Talk to your friends, family, and co-workers about the anti-gay amendment and why it must not pass. Tell them a story about how anti-LGBT discrimination has affected you or someone you love. Copy and post the following link on Facebook and Twitter, or email it to you friends to share this FAQ with them: http://bit.ly/eDG2Vv
* We sometimes use "gay" in our public messaging when we mean LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) because not enough people know what LGBT means. We're starting with what's familiar to most North Carolinians so we reach as many folks as possible.


You are receiving this message because you joined Equality North Carolina's online action network. If you do not wish to receive future emails to this list, click here to unsubscribe.
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23 February 2011

TAKE ACTION: Anti-Gay Amendment Introduced in NC Senate Today

From: Ian Palmquist, Equality NC <enc@equalitync.org>

Subject: TAKE ACTION: Anti-Gay Amendment Filed Today

Yesterday Sen. Jim Forrester filed Senate Bill 106, an anti-LGBT constitutional amendment, and it will be introduced on the Senate floor today.

So far there are a total of 23 sponsors on the bill. I need you to contact your Senator today and ask him or her not to support this mean-spirited, bill.

Take action right now to ask your senator to oppose writing bigotry and discrimination into our state constitution.

This is just the beginning of the fight. Take a stand now, before it's too late!

Your senator needs to hear from you! Let him or her know that they must stand against this harmful bill.

Together, we can stop this attack on LGBT North Carolinians.

For Equality,

Ian

 

20 February 2011

P-Flag Meeting

PFLAG Meeting - (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) meets Tuesday, Feb. 22, 6 p.m. For meeting details, contact pflagrm@aol.com, call 252-443-0345, or visit www.pflag.org.

17 February 2011

>>PREMIER PASSPORT<< "For The Bible Tells Me So"

Time

Monday, February 21 · 7:00pm - 10:00pm


Location

Hendrix Theatre


Created By

ECU GLBT Student Union


More Info

>>THIS IS A PREMIER PASSPORT EVENT<<

Can the love between two people ever be an abomination? Is the chasm separating gays and lesbians and Christianity too wide to cross? Is the Bible an excuse to hate?

Through the experiences of five very normal, very Christian, very American families -- including those of former House Majority Leader Richard Gephardt and Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson -- we discover how insightful people of faith handle the realization of having a gay child. Informed by such respected voices as Bishop Desmond Tutu, Harvard's Peter Gomes, Orthodox Rabbi Steve Greenberg and Reverend Jimmy Creech, FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO offers healing, clarity and understanding to anyone caught in the crosshairs of scripture and sexual identity. 

Trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajBR0dq0XXk

Hope to see you at this FREE screening! :)

 

16 February 2011

FREE Event Party, HIV Education and Testing

Swagg Ball- FREE Event Party, HIV Education and Testing
Please share and forward!

This is a "mini ball" event with competitions across catagories... from "Butch Realness to Vogue Fem!"

Saturday, Feb 19, 2011
8:00 PM - 1:00 AM
City Hotel and Bistro
Greenville, NC
Price- Free!

This is being hosted by a range of local groups and organizations.

http://www.picaso.org/

Information on the Ball Culture:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ball_culture._,___

14 February 2011

Outer Banks Pride, Baptist Church is Outrage, Not Surprising.

The Organizers of the First ever Outer Bank Pride Fest is facing Opposition over it Family Friendly events.

The co-founder of the Group that is planning the event said they are not move by the intimidated coming from Pastor Charles Tyler of a Local Baptist Church, whom claim this event is to Corrupt the local Children of the Outer Banks.

There is no Parade, just fun in the sun, with open-mind folks, enjoying the beauty of the Outer Banks.

There will be Day time events for the whole family, while there are a few evening events aim for Adults only.


"We're just slowly trying to change those attitudes so that these folks coming to the Outer Banks won't get dirty looks from people," Miller said.

The Event is set for sunny June of 2011.

"I think people that write anonymous crap like that are chickens," said Nags Head Mayor Bob Oakes, whose Village Realty is a sponsor of the event.
For more on this event Click here

12 February 2011

TOLERANCE WEEK 2011: Evening Program

Time

Friday, February 25 · 6:30pm - 8:00pm


Location

South Central High School Auditorium

570 W. Forlines Rd


Created By

Layla Qoran, Karen Gordon Klaich


More Info

"We need to promote greater tolerance and understanding among the peoples of the world. Nothing can be more dangerous to our efforts to build peace and development than a world divided along religious, ethnic or cultural lines. In each nation, and among all nations, we must work to promote unity based on our shared humanity." 
-Kofi Annan, former United Nations Secretary-General


Tolerance week 2011 is a 5-day initiative during the last week of February to promote tolerance, understanding, and diversity throughout South Central High School and the greater community. 

On February 25, 2011 there will be an evening program held in the South Central Auditorium including artwork, a religious panel, role playing, performance groups and much more!

Date: February 25, 2011

Time: 6:30 pm

Location: South Central Auditorium
570 W. Forlines rd
Winterville, NC 28590

Admission is free and open to the public.

Invite everyone, spread the word!

 

02 February 2011

Vigils in support of access to education spring up around the state–Greenville’s Vigil

I recently attend a Vigil that was organize by the Adelante Education Coalition. I attend the one  in Greenville, North Carolina. Here is the Photos taken at this event.

The turnout was small but still full of high hopes and spirit.

I borrowed a digital records, which has some issues, I didn’t record the opening statement by Juvencio Rocha Peralta, which I’m truly sorry for. However he spoke with great passion and spoke of fairness for those whom where bought here against their will at a very young age. How they don’t have a true feeling of home. Torn between counties.One they don’t know and the one they love, and live in.

Juvencio Rocha Pertalta had this to say,

“They are trying to stop kids from continuing their education,” Peralta said. “It's not fair to allow them to go to school K-12 and then not allow them to continue their education.”
and
“This country benefits from undocumented workers,” he said. “Why shouldn't they get the benefits of higher education?”

DSC_0539
Dani Martinez-Moore,

North Carolina need a more educational workforce, not less educational one, in these tough economic times we want our leaders in Raleigh to do the right thing. Don’t make our state number one in discrimination, hate, and exclusion. Let’s begin instead about the business of building an economy that works for everyone, and keeping North Carolina a state that believes in education.

There were a few interesting quotes, “Remember that about 60 years ago this happen to another group seeking education” and “if this bill is pass it will be another dark mark in our history”
DSC_0540 Don Cavellini

I would like to bring a bit of comparison specially. We, up here on this side of the river; as they say in here Greenville. Some people refer to highway 11that goes by the airport as Bethel highway. Many you may not have been aware, I certainly wasn’t in this part of eastern NC, I been here 26 years. Prior to my arrival apparently the huge multi-national corporation known then as Burroughs-Wellcome was planning to located in the little town of Bethel, those whom own the land, who used to own slaves, chose not to welcome the huge pharmaceutical multi-national and Greenville got Burroughs-Wellcome that became Glaxo-Wellcome known now as DSM. Provide a lot of jobs. People of Bethel could have those jobs. Instead the land owner the backward people of northern part of Pitt county choose to try to keep blacks in their kitchens and in their fields they didn’t want them to get those better paying jobs at a huge pharmaceutical company, that meant Bethel stay a very small poor town, all but for the land owners that used to own slaves

Why do I tell that story it the same ignorance small minded, same kind of exclusion way of thinking that characterize this bill in Raleigh. HB11which was introduced on January 27, 2011. That is a minimal progress, minimal human rights and if anything that the coalition against racism here in Pitt County support the rights of everyone to have equal access to education all levels not just elementary and secondary but in college, it’s only fair.

The North Carolina Bill HB 11 is a nothing more than a way to keep those whom have less in state of ignorance and illiterate. keeping them at a sub-level below everyone else. Basically just like the Whites in the south try with African-Americans.

This is a mean-spirited bill,” says Rep. Paul Luebke of Durham of HB11. “It keeps young immigrants from getting a higher education. It deprives North Carolina of the skills of talented youth who can help build our future.”

House Bill 11 – no Postsecondary educational for Illegal Aliens.

This bill bought to you by this good ole county bigot Representative George G. Cleveland, here is his info click here.
476
Office: 417A Legislative Office Building
Phone: 919-715-6707
Legislative Mailing Address:
NC House of Representatives
300 N. Salisbury Street, Room 417A
Raleigh, NC 27603-5925
Co bigots on this bill,
L. BrownCurrentFairclothFolwellFryeGuiceHager; HornIlerIngleJonesJordanLangdonMcGeeRandleman; SandersonSetzerTorbettH. Warren;

However for those whom are enroll under the bill you will get a chance to finish, unless on the bigots that it out,
SECTION 4. 
This act is effective when it becomes law and applies to admissions and classes taken after that date, except that this act shall not prevent a  student enrolled in a program at a community college or constituent institution of The University of North Carolina as of that date or during the previous term or semester from completing that program

Face it folks if you are not white and rich the above could careless what happens to you.. Bigotry is still strong in the south and now in Charge of NC..

Now remember that the Bigot GOP folks are working on the budget, with a short fall in the billions, they plan to cut once again money from the educational budget, which the lottery isn’t helping since they high jacked the fund for other items. These illegals have to paid out of state tuition, which is much higher for those that live in state.

Also remember those that are here illegally that work and have state and federal taxes taken from them, can’t file for refunds, this is extra money the state has that doesn’t lawfully belong to the state..
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