Back to School - Ensuring Safety and Inclusivity

[Ian David]

From: Jennifer Chrisler <[e-mail]>
Date: Aug 24, 2006
Subject: Back to School - Ensuring Safety and Inclusivity

August 24, 2006
Back to School

My twin boys, Tim and Tom, started pre-school this week. It was amazing! As my wife Cheryl and I watched them walk through the doors with their lunch boxes for the very first time, we were so proud and excited to see them growing up. But we were a little apprehensive, too. It got me thinking…

As a parent, and specifically as an LGBT parent, my children’s safety is paramount. Consequently, Family Pride has developed this Back to School Tool to arm LGBT parents with information and easy-to-follow strategies to ensure your children’s success in school. We want to help you be proactive—the best thing we can do is be present from the start. At every grade level and at every school, we as parents must step up to our responsibility to make our schools safe, welcoming and inclusive spaces for ALL children to learn and grow.

Watching Tim and Tom this week, I couldn’t help but think—If our playground was unsafe, we'd stand up. If asbestos was in our schools, we'd stand up. Children are facing anti-LGBT hostility; we need to stand up.

Download, read and use this Back to School Tool. Share it with other friends and families. Ask your straight neighbors to be a part of it. And use the additional resources we offer.

As a parent, I know it’s hard to find the time to do much of anything besides change diapers, pack lunches and proofread homework. Nevertheless, it is imperative that we ensure that our children are protected and included. That’s why I am so deeply appreciative of the difference you’re making every day in your children’s schools.

To help you make a difference—we are pleased to announce that the “Buster Bundle,” benefiting Family Pride and COLAGE (Children of Lesbians and Gays Everywhere), is now available. For $49.99 (including shipping!) this bundle contains the DVD and book of the “Sugartime!” episode, as well as an amazing t-shirt designed by Karen Pike, Gillian Pieper and their children. All proceeds from the sale of these bundles will be evenly split between Family Pride and COLAGE. For more information, check out the Buster Educational Bundle at www.familypride.org/buster.

Enjoy the last few days of summer, and happy first day of school!

Jennifer Chrisler
Executive Director
Family Pride

Family Pride is the only national non-profit organization exclusively dedicated to securing equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender parents and their families.

By becoming a member of Family Pride you have the opportunity to dramatically affect the lives of LGBT parents and their families. Please join Family Pride today by filling out our online membership form by clicking http://www.familypride.org/joinus.htm.

Back-to-School-Tool (PDF DOCUMENT):
http://www.familypride.org/atf/cf/%7B2A2C5E24-92CC-41DF-B4AA-448C71B7ED7D%7D/Back%20to%20School.pdf

[mongo]

1. Thanks for posting this.

and it's been sent on through the tubes to some more interested parties.

This whole issue was a topic of (IRL) conversation just the other day...

So thanks!