Stop "No Promo Homo" Attacks on Education and Services for GLBT Youth

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Stop “No Promo Homo” Attacks on Education and Services for GLBT Youth

Summary, Status, Action You Can Take and Read More
Updated: September 19, 2006

Summary: It all started in 1994, right after Minnesota extended Human Rights Act protections to include gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender citizens. Every year since then there has been an effort to place restrictions on the content of sexual health education curriculum and services available schools, public health agencies, or other state agencies. This was made abundantly clear in 2003 when there was a big push to completely repeal Human Rights Act protections for GLBT Minnesotans. The Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing and all -- every single word of testimony given by those who wanted to repeal "gay rights" protections was focused on how homosexuality is being promoted in schools. Yes, and including the scandalous act of announcing over a school's public address system that the GLBT and Friends Alliance was having a meeting, and the "ice cream would be served."

Stifled in their attempt to completely repeal the act, opponents then follow-up with amendments to the 2003 education bills while they were being debated by the full House and Senate [see copies of these amendments and the votes below in Read More]. [Note: Link to Read More below.]

These attacks on GLBT health education and services are way out of line with where Minnesotans are at on the issue. In August, 2004, MAP conducted a statewide poll using the Mason Dixon polling service. When asked if funding for HIV prevention efforts targeting gays and bisexuals was an appropriate use of state money or simply "promoted homosexuality," 63 percent of the respondents said it was an appropriate use of state money. [Note: Link to poll on MAP Web site.]

Status: No bills have been introduced in either the Minnesota House or Senate - yet, to repeal GLBT protections in the Human Rights Act or to restrict school curriculum and services for GLBT youth. However, the rumor mill at the Capitol has reported that one leading member of the House Education committee is furious about how GLBT family issues were addressed in a class attended by her child in a Minneapolis public school. It's election year for 100% of the Minnesota House, and this is a very conservative-leaning group of lawmakers. Expect a "no promo homo" bill to be introduced or amendments to crop up on the floor of the House and Senate.

Action You Can Take:

1. Keep informed. Check the current issue of the MAP Advocate to find out what's happening. Read the MAP Facts for basic facts and talking points.

2. Write a letter. Whenever you see another news story break about sex education in schools or efforts to repeal state human rights protections for GLBT citizens, send a letter to the editor, make a phone call to your TV station, or send an email to a friend to remind them that it's the State's job to serve all of it's citizens.

3. Contact your legislators. Send an email or make a phone call to your State Senator and State Representative to let them know you would like to see comprehensive sexual health services offered through schools and public health serving the good health of all of the State's residents, including those who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender.

Last Updated: Friday, March 30, 2007
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