In California: A New Bill may Teach students about LGBT Contributions in History

Sen. Mark D. Leno of San Francisco has introduced SB 48, a bill that will require CA schools to teach about LGBT contributions in history. So far, folks are torn about bill going forward.

Here more of the issue:

If implemented, the measure, which would revise social science textbooks, could have effects beyond California. The state is a major purchaser of educational texts, and publishers often produce books tailored to California that other states use as well.

The proposal would require that social science texts and other instruction include "a study of the role and contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans … to the economic, political and social development of California and the United States of America, with particular emphasis on portraying the role of these groups in contemporary society."

Sen. Leno stated:

"In light of the ongoing and ever-threatening phenomenon of bullying and the tragic result of suicides, it seems to me that better informed students might be more welcoming in their approach to differences among their classmates," Leno said in an interview. "Students would better understand that we are talking about a civil rights movement."

Some gay high school students said they welcomed Leno's effort, which they said would make them feel less isolated. It would show that non-heterosexuals "have contributed to the U.S. in significant ways," said a 17-year-old at Bell High School.

And you can imagine that the Repubs are just up in arms about this. But, screw them! The test run of the bill passed 6-3 last week.

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Sexy He-Man Art Show for LGBT Charity

A new and sexy art show is coming soon. Using one of our favorite childhood heroes (and to some of us, fantasies), 'Skeletor Saves' promise to be a hit while raising money for charity.

Here's more info:

Skeletor Saves is a collective charity show with work from top artists based on He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, benefiting The Ali Forney Center.


Sponsored by Slick It Up and Aaron Cobbett and curated by Brian Moylan, Bradford Shellhammer, and David Mason.

Check out the pics:

go here for more

Spelman student JeShawna Wholley wins the 2011 Campus Pride Voice & Action National Leadership Award

 I found this story to be wonderful and inspiring. Here's the scoop from Darian's Blog

The city of Atlanta along with Spelman College and Atlanta's LGBT community has reason to be proud of JeShawna Wholley. Wholley was recently awarded the 2011 Campus Pride Voice & Action National Leadership Award for her tireless efforts to make Spelman College and neighboring institutions Morehouse College and Clark Atlanta University a more inclusive environment for SGL students.

Her efforts earned her an invitation to The White House to meet President Obama during a reception commemorating the 40th anniversary of Stonewall.

Wholley recently completed her tenure as president of Afrekete, Spelman College's on-campus LGBT organization and was instrumental in creating Spelman and Morehouse's first PRIDE Week. The week’s culminating event themed, WERK: The Appropriate Dress Drag Show, aimed to create an awareness pertaining to the discriminatory nature of the Appropriate Attire Policy imposed by Morehouse College in 2009 as reported frequently on loldarian.com.

Wholley's most extraordinary act resulted from a mix-up during “National Coming Out Day” in which campus officials at Spelman removed decorative items in recognition of the day. JeShawna immediately contacted the college’s President, Provost and Director of Student Activities which in turn created a new student advisory position for LGBT inclusion, a forum for faculty, staff, and students to discuss cultural sensitivity and an honorary “National Coming Out Day” celebration funded by the school due to the campus oversight on the official date.

Congrats, JeShawna! We hope to see more from you.