She The Universe Has Spoken

Conservatives Will Boycott National Day of Silence

[Washington] Conservative Linda Harvey is making a plea to parents, she's asking them to keep their children home on April 18th, National Day of Silence.  On this day LGBT students along with their allies and supporters will bring awareness to the homophobia and discrimination, which gay lesbian bisexual and transgender students face, while in the classroom.

On this day, those who stand in support of will participate by being silent. 

Linda Harvey has put up a website NotOurKids.com, her position is

"Teenagers deserve an opportunity to study English, history, math, and science -- without being subjected to pro-homosexual proselytizing sanctioned by school authorities.  Students shouldn't be forced to self-censor or adopt beliefs contrary to those of their parents and places of worship.  Even the strongest of our junior high and high school children are not equipped to serve as frontline soldiers in this culture war."

This is not about a cultural war, it's about affording the same opportunities which every student should be granted.  And, that is to learn in a safe non-threatening environment. LGBT students are bullied frequently, for some it's on a day by day basis. 

Gay Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) study shows that homophobia is rampant in our nation's schools.  Statistics are showing

1. One in Five students have been physically assaulted, because of their sexual orientation
2. Over a tenth, physically assaulted, because of gender expression
3. Over a third have been physically harassed, due to sexual orientation
4. More than a quarter, physically harassed because of their gender expression

Students (three quarters) were surveyed and the results, within the past year words such as dyke and faggot have been hurled at them.  And, nine out of ten state hearing 'That's So Gay and You're So Gay is quite constant.  Those are negative associations 'you're stupid and you're worthless.' 

Many schools have placed a ban on those phrases, if reported using them an at home suspension will take place.

This type of environment, needless to say is not conducive to learning.  The end results lower grades and children skipping school.  And for those who suffer from being bullied an antagonized because of their gender expression, often drop out of school completely.

So, no Linda Harvey I beg to differ this is not about a cultural war. 

National Day of Silence has an estimate of over 6,000 participants.  College students are included in those figures, because they suffer from the same issues due to their sexual orientations.  Everyone in protest will wear stickers and 'speaking cards' are going to be passed out. 

They will read,  "Please understand my reasons for not speaking today. I am participating in the Day of Silence, a national youth movement protesting the silence faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their allies in schools. My deliberate silence echoes that silence, which is caused by harassment, prejudice, and discrimination. I believe that ending the silence is the first step toward fighting these injustices. Think about the voices you are not hearing today. What are you going to do to end the silence?"

Are you willing to support their cause, by not speaking and saying a multitude ?   

 

 

 

International No Diet Day

                           

May 6th was International No Diet Day.  It was founded by England's DietBreakers and has been in existance since 1992.  Well, I missed it.  I never would have known anything about it, so I must thank AnyBody for bringing it to my attention.

International No Diet Day is designed to promote positive body images and healthy eating habits.  It's the day we women can stand up an object to societal standards to be thin.  Although, I participate in this day quite frequently.

Dieting: At War With Our Bodies, is a 40 minute documentary on dvd which you can purchase from them. As I stated on my blog God Is A Dyke this is very important for not only young girls but all women. 

The Vagina Monologues Creates School Suspension

Three honor studies have been suspended from high school after using the word vagina during the reading of a play, which is entitled 'Vagina Monologue's.'  Doesn't that sound ridiculously funny I know I'm laughing, it's really very sad.

The plays well-known feminist author Eve Ensler is celebrating the young ladies and doesn't understand 'why' the school isn't doing the very same. "Don't we want our children to resist authority when it's not appropriate and wise."  Yes, we do but how does resisting authority correlate with saying, vagina?  I bet they say 'penis' in school.  Somewhere down the line in Health, possibly.

The 3 junior high students read excerpts from the play for an event sponsored by the literary magazine at John Jay High School in Cross River, a New York City suburb. Among the other readings was a student's original work and the football coach quoting Shakespeare.  Hump go figure.

They had been instructed and informed that the use of the word vagina was not permitted.  So, to make matters even worst every time the word vagina was called for in the reading they said it in unison. 

"My short skirt is a liberation flag in the women's army," they read. "I declare these streets, any streets, my vagina's country." Ouch!  The many parents which attended this play were outraged over the suspension.  They sent e-mails criticizing the school for censorship.

Principal Richard Leprine stated that the girls were only being punished because they disobeyed orders, not because of what they said. (duh)  I wonder if people really listen to what they say sometime.  His major concern was over the young children.  It was reported no one was in attendance under junior high age.  I hope by now someone has explained a vagina to them.

The Vagina Monologue causes controversy wherever she goes.

"Conservative Catholics criticized the University of Notre Dame's decision to allow a performance on campus last April. This year, student planners could not get an academic sponsor. And in 2005, the Ugandan government banned a benefit performance of the play to raise money for war-affected African women."

Now had sad is that, I ask?