news, resources & commentary for and about lgbt youth & their allies
Here's some of the latest LGBT news related to and affecting youth: • Two Alabama high school students are trying to get an anti-gay Alabama statute off the books. The statute requires teachers in sex education classes to teach that homosexual conduct is a crime and that homosexuality is “not a lifestyle acceptable to the general public.” The students' petition is here. • The California Department of Education has released a new list of recommended reading for K-12 students; … [Read more...]
Emily Bazelon, author and blogger extraordinaire, has just published an important new book on bullying, Sticks and Stones: Defeating the Culture of Bullying and Rediscovering the Power of Character and Empathy. New York Magazine reports that the book combines "immersive storytelling with a sturdy base of science underneath, and draws its authority and power from both." Author Rachel Simmons writes that "Emily Bazelon is doing the most honest, hard-hitting investigative work on bullying in … [Read more...]
A Utah school district has thankfully changed course, and will now allow students to access an LGBT-inclusive children's book in the school library without a parental permission slip. The change comes in response to a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union, which alleged violations of students' constitutional rights. For an earlier post commenting on the case, click here. For an update on the school's new position, click here. To see the book, "In Our Mothers' House" by … [Read more...]
One of the weirdest arguments against same-sex marriage—and, unfortunately, one of the most successful so far in defeating equality claims brought by same-sex couples—is an argument known as the "responsible procreation rationale." Anti-gay activists (and government representatives) have relied heavily on it for years in court cases around the country. Would they mind if we taught it in schools? … [Read more...]
Today I'm writing to suggest a book to former Governor Mitt Romney: The Family Book, by Todd Parr. Though the School Library Journal recommends the book for children in pre-school through second grade, the book contains valuable lessons for people of all ages. And it's clear from recent events that Governor Romney would benefit from reading it. … [Read more...]
Posted by MK on 8/1/12 Gore Vidal died yesterday in California at the age of 86. Those unfamiliar with this literary and cultural giant may want to read the fascinating, richly detailed obituary in the New York Times--in addition to reading works by Mr. Vidal himself, of course. The Times calls Mr. Vidal a "an elegant, acerbic all-around man of letters who presided with a certain relish over what he declared to be the end of American civilization." The obituary says that Mr. Vidal . . . … [Read more...]
Can Schools Require Permission Slips for Students to Read LGBT-Supportive Books?
According to a suit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) late last year, school officials in a Utah district have violated students' rights by restricting students' access to the book "In Our Mothers' House" in the district's elementary school libraries. According to the school, leaving the book on the shelves would violate a state law against "advoca[ting] homosexuality" in school. Who is right? … [Read more...]