Attention All Advocates for Education

 

UPCOMING EVENTS Mark your calendars for a full month of Honesty events kicking off tomorrow! Join the Honesty Youth and Young Adult Coalition this Saturday for a student-focused antiracism workshop. Saturday, October 1, Noon   REGISTER HERE     Join Honesty and Equality Ohio for a testimony workshop addressing the proposed State Board resolution targeting LGBTQ+ students. Tuesday, October 4, 6pm REGISTER   Join our Reporter Roundtable for a discussion about the State Board of Education. Learn about their role and duties, hot issues and priorities, and the five open seats on the November ballot. Thursday, October 6, 7pm REGISTER   Meet us for lunch at The City Club of Cleveland! Ken Schneck will moderate a thoughtful discussion about identity and living your truth with students and LGBTQ+ advocates. Friday, October 7, 12pm REGISTER   SHOW UP & SPEAK OUT for LGBTQ+ students at the  October State Board of Education meeting! Say NO! to the proposed resolution rejecting Title IX protections. Wednesday, October 12, 8am LEARN MORE   Join Honesty for the second Beloved Community Teach-In! Featuring Keynote Speaker Ashley Hope Peréz, author of Out of Darkness, and breakout sessions designed for healing and empowerment. Tuesday, October 18, 4pm   REGISTER   More Events

Attention Advocates for All Children

 

Background: At the State Board of Education’s next meeting on Tuesday, September 20, 2022, Board Member Brendan Shea will present a harmful, anti-LGBTQ+ resolution for consideration. The resolution proposes requiring schools to out LGBTQ+ children to their parents no matter the circumstances, ban transgender youth from participating in sports or using facilities that align with their gender identity, and advocates that state lawmakers allocate state taxpayer dollars to pay for any penalties incurred by school districts for ignoring Title IX legal protections.   The National PTA has a supportive resolution that states that: The National PTA seeks and supports legislation that specifically recognizes LGBTQ as a protected group and addresses discrimination based upon sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression; That National PTA encourages state, local units, and councils to review school policies in regard to bullying and support revisions and amendments to those policies that specifically address the topics of sexual orientation and gender identification/expression as they relate to harassment and bullying; That National PTA and its constituent associations seeks and supports legislation that creates a safe, supportive and accepting environment in schools, specifically with training for educators and other school-related professionals to support all students, updated health education standards that deal with the issues of sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression; That National PTA works with the Department of Education to encourage states to incorporate standards regarding age-appropriate, medically accurate and culturally sensitive information on LGBTQ issues into existing health and other appropriate curricula. TAKE ACTION!: Email your written comments to Alex.goodman@education.Ohio.gov, SBOE@education.ohio.gov, and your State Board Member by 5pm, Sunday, September 18, 2022. Use a sample script here.

Attention PTA Advocates

 

Background:

• At the State Board of Education’s next meeting on Tuesday, September 20, 2022, Board Member Brendan Shea will present a harmful, anti-LGBTQ+ resolution for consideration.
• The resolution proposes requiring schools to out LGBTQ+ children to their parents no matter the circumstances, ban transgender youth from participating in sports or using facilities that align with their gender identity, and advocates that state lawmakers allocate state taxpayer dollars to pay for any penalties incurred by school districts for ignoring Title IX legal protections.

 

The National PTA has a supportive resolution that states that:

• The National PTA seeks and supports legislation that specifically recognizes LGBTQ as a protected group and addresses discrimination based upon sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression;
• That National PTA encourages state, local units, and councils to review school policies in regard to bullying and support revisions and amendments to those policies that specifically address the topics of sexual orientation and gender identification/expression as they relate to harassment and bullying;
• That National PTA and its constituent associations seek and support legislation that creates a safe, supportive and accepting environment in schools, specifically with training for educators and other school related professionals to support all students, updated health education standards that deal with the issues of sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression;
• That National PTA work with the Department of Education to encourage states to incorporate standards regarding age-appropriate, medically accurate and culturally sensitive information on LGBTQ issues into existing health and other appropriate curricula.

 

TAKE ACTION!:

• Email your written comments to Alex.goodman@education.Ohio.gov, SBOE@education.ohio.gov, and your State Board Member by 5pm, Sunday, September 18, 2022.
• Use a sample script here.

PTA Votes

Cuyahoga County Executive Debate at The City Club of Cleveland (Tuesday, September 20, 2022, 11:30 AM until 1:00 PM) The City Club of Cleveland presents 2022 Cuyahoga County Executive Debate. LWVGC will be a Community Partner as the City Club of Cleveland hosts a debate between Chris Ronayne, Democrat, and Lee Weingart, Republican, as they vie for the County Executive office.  It has been eight years since Cuyahoga county has had an open seat in the County Executive's office and 12 years since voters approved a reform to create the office of county executive. The charter specifically called for "effective and accountable leadership", "an improved focus on equity for all our communities and citizens", economic competitiveness, and "significant taxpayer savings by streamlining and eliminating unnecessary elected offices." Chris Ronayne, Democrat, began his career in public service with the County Planning Commission, and later served as the Planning Director for the City of Cleveland. Most recently, he has served as President of University Circle, Inc. Lee Weingart, Republican, served as County Commissioner in Cuyahoga County from 1995 to 1997. He has held a variety of positions in the private sector, founding an advocacy and lobbying firm in 2002, which he continues to run today. This will be an in-person event, but can also be watched live online. Learn more and purchase tickets on the:   https://www.cityclub.org/forums/2022/09/20/2022-cuyahoga-county-executive-debate

Revealing Hidden Government: How County and City Governments Work Together (Thursday, September 22, 2022, 7:00 PM until 8:45 PM) A conversation with Dave Greenspan, Westlake City Council President. Members of the League of Women Voters Westlake-North Olmsted Chapter and greater community are invited to attend this upcoming informative conversation.   During the program, questions from the audience are welcome. A brief LWV Chapter meeting and announcements will be held following the program.  This in-person event will be recorded for future viewing at the League's YouTube Channel.  Please contact Westlake-NorthOlmsted@LWVGreaterCleveland.org with any questions.    Located at: The Dover Room at the Westlake Porter Public Library 27333 Center Ridge Rd Westlake, OH  44145

Looking Back, Looking Forward: Reflections on County Government at The City Club of Cleveland (Wednesday, September 28, 2022, 11:30 AM until 1:00 PM)   LWVGC will be a Community Partner as the City Club of Cleveland hosts a forum reflecting on over a decade of county government reform, and discuss what lies ahead. It has now been over a decade of Cuyahoga County government reform since voters replaced corruption scandals with an elected county executive and 11-member county council. And soon, voters will also decide on a new county executive after eight years of leadership under Armond Budish.   The county government serves 1.2 million residents with a roughly $1.5 billion budget. The government reform was met with promises of streamlined services, equity, and accountability. Still, the charter has seen its fair share of tinkering at the ballot box over the years, and challenges and opportunities have revealed themselves. Has the reform upheld its original promise?   Panelists C. Ellen Connally - Former President, Cuyahoga County Council Marcia Goldberg - Past President, League of Women Voters Marty Zanotti - Former Mayor, Parma Heights Moderator William Tarter, Jr. - Fellow, The Center for Community Solutions This will be an in-person event, but can also be watched live online. Learn more and purchase tickets on the: https://www.cityclub.org/forums/2022/09/28/looking-back-looking-forward-reflections-on-county-government-reform

Take Action Today!

 

IMMEDIATE  ACTION  NEEDED Say NO to State Board of Ed resolution  targeting LGBTQ+ students and rejecting Title IX protections    At the State Board of Education’s next meeting on Tuesday, September 20, 2022, Board Member Brendan Shea will present a harmful, anti-LGBTQ+ resolution for consideration.   We’re asking Ohioans to speak out against this targeted attack on LGBTQ+ students and demand Ohio schools stay in compliance with Title IX federal regulations.   LGBTQ+ students have a right to a safe, welcoming learning environment that fosters growth and development. Recent changes to Title IX protect these rights and shield LGBTQ+ students from harmful discrimination.  But the so-called, “Resolution to Support Parents, Schools, and Districts in Rejecting Harmful, Coercive, and Burdensome Gender Identity Policies'' attempts to invalidate federal Title IX protections in schools for LGBTQ+ youth, spreads harmful falsehoods about LGBTQ+ people, and advocates that local school districts ignore the law.  The resolution proposes requiring schools to out LGBTQ+ children to their parents no matter the circumstances, ban transgender youth from participating in sports or using facilities that align with their gender identity, and advocates that state lawmakers allocate state taxpayer dollars to pay for any penalties incurred by school districts for ignoring Title IX legal protections.   Specifically, Brendan Shea’s resolution: Opposes recent changes to Title IX regulations, released by the US Department of Education on June 23, 2022; Sides with a lawsuit filed by Ohio Attorney General David Yost and 21 other state attorneys general opposing rules connecting federal nutrition funds to the adoption of Title IX sexual discrimination policies; Requires the Ohio state superintendent  to send a letter directing all Ohio school districts to oppose recent Title IX changes, disregard the Title IX guidance, and not amend district policies; Asks the State to provide stopgap funding to schools not complying with recent Title IX regulations;  Requires Ohio schools to report student identities, alternative names, and pronouns to families regardless of possible risk for youth; Prohibits trans youth in sports and school facilities; Rejects “harmful, coercive, and burdensome gender identity policies”; and Repeats harmful stereotypes and incorrect scientific assertions including that transgender girls are predatory and that gender-affirming care is medically harmful. TAKE ACTION NOW Stop this politicized attack on LGBTQ+ youth!       TAKE ACTION   Your public comment is needed NOW!   STEP 1: PREPARE YOUR COMMENT Be concise. Open with your name, grade or profession, and city. Explain why you support policies and measures that protect and affirm LGBTQ+ students, and the dangers of not having those protections. Personalize your comment by adding your own stories and lived experiences. Include relevant data, research, and statistics, if able. Helpful talking points HERE    STEP 2: SUBMIT YOUR COMMENT TO THE BOARD (2 WAYS) 1) PRESENT IN-PERSON COMMENT AT BOARD MEETING  WHEN: Tuesday, September 20, 2022, 8am (exact timing of public comment can vary but on-time arrival is recommended) WHERE: State Board of Education, 25 South Front Street, Columbus 43215 DETAILS: Witnesses are permitted five minutes for public comment, followed by questions from State Board members. It’s recommended to submit your written comment in advance to be included in the Board materials for public access. NOTE: We will host a prep meeting Monday evening, September 19, for those presenting in-person. INSTRUCTIONS:  Complete this Request to Address the Board form  Select Non Agenda Item on the form Email your completed form and written testimony to Alex.Goodman@Education.Ohio.gov and SBOE@Education.Ohio.gov by 5pm, Sunday, September 18, 2022. Be sure to arrive early enough for parking and to secure seating in the boardroom. 2) SUBMIT WRITTEN COMMENT TO STATE BOARD  Email your written comments to Alex.goodman@education.Ohio.gov and SBOE@education.ohio.gov by 5pm, Sunday, September 18, 2022.   STEP 3: EMAIL & PHONE STATE BOARD MEMBERS If you’re unable to submit testimony, please email or phone State Board members demanding they reject the resolution and instead, seek safe, healthy ways to protect and affirm LGBTQ+ students.  Sample script HERE  •  Find your State Board member HERE