iljb#164: SB48 – California Gay History Bill Headed To Governor

So what is this bill?

The Fair, Accurate, Inclusive and Respectful (FAIR), SB 48 Education Act would amend the Education Code to include social sciences instruction on the contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people.

This is such a HUGE landmark if passed. Definitely something that has been long overdue.

The Bill has been passed through many Committees, most importantly the full assembly on July 6th, 2011 with a 49-25 vote.

Goes to show that the elected representatives in Sacramento HEAR US and see the need for this amendment to be passed in California.

Now its up to the Governor to sign into law

WHY is this so important to adopt?

Well take a look at what happens in schools today. Bullying, harassment, and discrimination (just to name a few) against LGBT students and non. This bill enables us to learn about the LGBT history which is rich, full of stories and experiences that we have yet heard or learned about. I find it narrow minded that some people believe gay history is just about gay sex.

This bill, SB 48, includes and ensure students get a fair and accurate picture of the people and events that have shaped our society, and that fair and accurate portrayals of LGBT people are no longer excluded from classroom discussions. Because if you appose this bill, you’re basically saying that the only RIGHT way, is a heterosexual way.

Ultimately, I hope in the long run, this helps prevent the perpetuating stereotypes about gay people. Do we want to venture and talk about what straight people do? Nah, we already see that in the media and in magazines. LGBT people are just like everyone else, were not different.

The more societies learns about the contributions of the LGBT community, the better the dialog and understanding about what it means to be a part of the LGBT community…however a dialog is rarely even started

To stress about the contributions and history of the LGBT community in California and in the world, well its just not saying enough.

THIS part of our history, culture, lifestyle, but is virtually non-existent. Its as if GAY PEOPLE don’t exist in the world…well at least not in textbooks.

Some Facts

Schools that have included LGBT discussions have been positive, statistics show that only 11% of students reported bullying, but the number doubles to 24% if students say they haven’t learned about LGBT people.

Statistics also show that in 2003, students who have learned about LGBT people at school were more likely to feel they have a voice.

In 2004, 359 CA shcool districts already have LGBT inclusive curriculums, more than 83% report including LGBT issues in their lessons for some or all hs students, 64% do so in middle school, and 54% do so for elementary. This has probably increased as the years have passed. From personal experience, I know that these facts are legit, I’ve experienced this myself. But who cares right?

I was reading the article about SB48 and was disturbed by two representatives, who happen to be republicans. The first, Assemblyman Tim Donnelly.

Just take a long at his website – I find it hard to like the guy if all he talks about is money and not enough about education. He has strong feelings about the “homosexuality agenda” stating “I think it’s one thing to say that we should be tolerant,” Donnelly said. “It is something else altogether to say that my children are going to be taught that this lifestyle is good.”

So you’re telling me, you’re kids don’t have a brain to decide what lifestyle they choose? Shame on you Mr. Donnelly for being so closed minded. How did this guy get into office?

Second, theres Assemblyman Chris Norby, who like some opposed to the bill, agree that such instruction would further burden an already crowded curriculum and expose students to a subject that some parents find objectionable.
Again, you act like your children don’t have a voice themselves, or brain for that matter to decide how they want to live and what to think. You have already done it for them. Take a look at this guys website all he cares about is getting Ca. its money and not enough about education. I think I know what this guys agenda is.

The bill’s author, Sen. Mark Leno, a Democrat, states “Bottom line, it’s only beneficial to share with students the broad diversity of the human experience and that our democracy protects everyone,”

At least we know there are, not just some, but a lot of people in Sac that have a brain and common sense. Again, the Assembly passed this bill 49-25…Now who are those 25? 😉

Now theres also the side that does oppose this bill, so I invite you to read what they have to say. Personally, I think its bullshit and I can’t believe we have people in high office dictating the future of our kids…SHAME. How are these people in office?

Nevertheless the Links will be down below.

Some churches and conservative family groups warned the bill will drive more parents to take their children out of public schools.

I’m sorry, but I went to a catholic school and honestly I felt like it sheltered me from the real world. Parents who would take their children out of public schools if this bill passed are basically lying to their kids saying that LGBT people don’t exist. Secondly, CHRIST LIKE? Really now? To pass judgment on a particular group and condemn them is definitely not CHRIST LIKE. End of discussion.

Take a look a the links below, its very helpful to get a better idea of this bill and again why its important. We need to be educated with such topics and know whats out there. Really, decide for yourself, don’t take my word for it.

On a side note, personally, being an Asian American – the history of Asians in this country in textbooks are rarely talked about or its barely written. More so, Pilipino History is barely talk about or discussed. And trust yal would be like WTF you guys did that, if yal knew.

It wasn’t until college that I learned about my roots and gained a better understanding of who I was as a Pilipino American. What a shame that I had to wait until college to learn about who I was.

I wish this kind of HISTORY would have been taught when I went to elementary school…I probably would have been more proud than ashamed.

Likewise, growing up not knowing about the LGBT community, what certain terms were, me thinking of suicide in hs, bullying, harassment, again just to name a few…if I had a resource in school, a dialogue about what it meant to be gay, a part of a beautiful community. I def. feel that I would have been more proud to be who I was instead of hiding who I am.

This bill, I believe would ultimately help those who are questioning themselves or who know nothing about the LGBT experience. Its about time.

Because

No History
No Self

Know History
Know Self

Lastly, on a different issue, but closely related. if you are a representative, or in government, or in any high place and you’ve done a video that contributes to the IT GETS BETTER PROJECT, and you are still on the fence about gay marriage, I feel like its either you support us or you don’t. Stop letting your party dictate what you know is right. I rather have a representative be firm with their stance on the issue, rather than have someone be 50/50 about it. The only person that loses is your self and your dignity.

 

California Gay History Bill Headed To Governor

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YES, this video is PRO SB48 (with good reason).
YES, this is important in schools
YES, this matters
YES, people have really become more close minded than I thought

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Our world needs to REEDUCATE ourselves about what it means to be a part of the LGBT community. Instead of spending HOURS commenting negativity, sit down with someone whose a part of that community and LEARN something. Religion aside, LGBT history has made what you know today YOUR AMERICA. People who pass judgement on the LGBT community has learned nothing from histories past and continue perpetuating what our FORE FATHERS fought for – EQUALITY.

By learning about this history, does not MAKE YOU GAY, YOU CAN’T MAKE anyone GAY, but knowing the PEOPLE in this world that exist is a right that should not be taken away from ANYONE

IF YOUR AMERICA continues to breed HATE against the LGBT, your AMERICA will soon become an AMERICA you no longer will truly be proud of.
THE CHANGE is IN YOU! MAKE a EDUCATED decision and CRITICALLY think about the WORLD you live/want to live in for you and for YOUR KIDS.

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SAMPLE LETTER IN SUPPORT OF SB48
http://www.eqca.org/atf/cf/%7B34f258b3-8482-4943-91cb-08c4b0246a88%7D/FAIREDUCATIONACTSAMPLESUPPORTLETTERFINAL.DOC

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CONTACT THE GOV.
You may contact Governor Jerry Brown by mail at:
Mailing address:
Governor Jerry Brown
c/o State Capitol, Suite 1173
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 445-2841 
Fax: (916) 558-3160

http://govnews.ca.gov/gov39mail/mail.php

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The Articles about SB48
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/05/california-gay-history-bill_n_890846.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000003
http://news.yahoo.com/california-lawmakers-pass-bill-teach-gay-history-012938470.html

First off I’d like to say the comments on yahoo are very disturbing, this is our America? It makes me ashamed to call this a part of me being AMERICAN.

SOME COMMENTS FROM YAHOO…

“Andre about an hour ago Gay History? What the heck is that?”
“Corey 2 hours ago I am gay. And this is silly. I don’t need “gay history” or “gay pride month” or any other PC, liberal nonsense. Just let me have my rights, and I’m happy. If you want to throw in “By the way class, one little known fact about X is that he may have been gay,” that’s fine. But all this does is waste time and money, and it divides us further. Seriously, give me a break…”

“Me 51 minutes ago Time to put your kids in private school”
“K C about an hour ago This could well be the most absurd, insane, ridiculous and IDIOTIC thing I’ve EVER SEEN IN MY LIFE!!!!”

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The Representatives
Tim Donnelly
http://www.donnellyforassembly.com/principles/
Chris Norby
http://arc.asm.ca.gov/member/72/?p=bio
Tom Amianno
http://asmdc.org/members/a13/biography?layout=item
Mark Leno (One of my sources)
http://dist03.casen.govoffice.com/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC=A5A9B2D9-63C6-4859-96A2-0E62A794E30D

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The Bill Introduced (One of my sources)
http://info.sen.ca.gov/cgi-bin/postquery?bill_number=sb_48&sess=CUR&house=B&site=sen

FAIR Education Act: SB48 Information
http://www.eqca.org/site/pp.asp?c=kuLRJ9MRKrH&b=6451639
Protect Our Kids Foundation Information: Opposed
http://www.protectkidsfoundation.org/?page_id=1356

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iljb#52: Language Should Never Be An Excuse

Working for XpresSpa has truly opened my eyes about differences, especially with language. As much as I sometimes don’t understand certain people at work, I still can get by with the little things they say. Doesn’t mean they’re stupid, doesn’t mean they don’t know, just means that they’re working harder than you are to explain themselves. If we look at it in the bigger picture, both are just trying their best to get whatever they need to across.

I feel so guilty, especially after my coworker helped me a lot tonight. My first impression about Selena was that she was rude or stuck up from my other coworker Pei. She told me that she doesn’t like Selena cause she gets all the commission. I’ve also heard from folks that Selena is always doing way too much. I caught myself tonight falling into their “gossip” about Selena. It wasn’t until tonight that I found out who the REAL Selena is…she is so much like me.

She kept on reiterating, “Just do your best.” I admired her so much tonight for the fact that she was proving her point, “doing her best”. She also forewarned me that DRAMA is not her thing, if folks want to put her name in their mouths, they’re gonna have to deal with her and only her personally. Even though she speaks broken english, I totally got what she meant. She is a hard working, after all, she has been working there for two years, she knows wassup. I feel bad because I had a totally wrong impression of her. She knows when to play and when to work. She taught me way better than Pei did last week. Thank God, cause now I feel more confident about the job and closing. Selena does her job well and I feel bad that I let language and “other people” help me judge her before I even got to know her.

I ended up thanking her and I kept on reminding myself that this is what I would want future employees to hear, the real story. I am also realizing that I am 23 and the rest of em are either 19-20 or older. I know wassup too…I just need to get used to the job.

I like this job, I really do. I’m happy here =].

I must say, even though today was hard…waking up at 6 and closing and arriving home at 12…its all worth it. I can do it. Even though I’m tired as hell…I know I got this. God has me on this one. Even though I got sick this past week, I know God got me.

He’s blessed me with school, family, 2 jobs, friends, and a wonderful companion that I am falling for real hard. =] I am truly lucky and grateful to be where I am right now. I am exactly where I’m supposed to be.

I am realizing small things, little things, create the bigger, and better picture of life.

On a side note, I need to keep reminding myself, my self worth. How wonderful and talented I am. I am amazing because God has blessed me so much. ❤

I am blessed…

PS. I love my picture for this blog…does not even relate LOL haha lighten up, life isn’t always so serious =].

iljb#47: Rushing…

I feel like today was rushed to get to where I am today. I had work, did laundry, organized my life in between, and now awaiting my family to come and swoop me for dinner. I didn’t even eat all day because I’m waiting for dinner. (So bad). In any case, this rush is good. I feel this urge to make my first weeks the jump off of my whole year. It has just begun and I am already busy! I can’t hardly breathe haha. I’ve also been excited to do my hw – which is a first because I never ever feel excited to do hw. I just haven’t gotten a chance to peep at it because I have been lagging 2-4 hrs behind on schedule. But I’ll get there folks…it just takes time HA how ironic right?

I feel good today because I was able to pay off my best buy debt. Something I’ve been meaning to do for the last 2 years. I can’t believe it. I am stoked. I paid for it. Now I just hope my credit will be fine so I can actually get a REAL credit card. shoot. haha in addition, I was able to go to the dentist. =] Now all I need to do is get contacts and sign up for GRE. I am way more than enough money to handle myself this semester. I feel good because for the first time in awhile, I feel stable. I think its in part to the secret. DAMN secret really does work. =] I am grateful every day I wake up.

First thing I do when I wake up is acknowledge what I am grateful for and just thank everything for happening. I really do think this is why I have been so lucky these past weeks. I am so grateful for everything. Life, school, friends, family, my future ahead! I have been given this chance to make it big and I know I will be able to achieve anything if I just put my mind to it. IT is going to be a busy semester, but I know I am able to handle my own.

I work so damn hard to get where I am right now. It feels good to be where I am right now because with all the bad experiences I’ve had in the past year, all seem to be nothing but dust off my shoulder. I can lift my head up high and know that taking a risk, doing my best, and giving it my all is all that matters. Even when I’m down, I know theres a reason to be grateful. I do have those times, like recently, where I wish I had this and that, but I know that I am way blessed to have the things I have right now.

Because of faith, because of me, because of God – He is able to work his wonders through me. Could I have asked for a better birthday present? ha no.

On a side note.

Today at work I saw Jeff and his bf Anthony. It made me reminisce how I had a chance with Jeff, but couldn’t hang cause he obviously was not doing well in school. I tried no doubt, but it was just too complicated (haha a few months later he got with his current bf). Anthony, I’ve never really seen or met until recently. Never talked to him or whatever. But today just seeing Jeff and him – ugh made me jealous – like the fuck? YOU GUYS ARE HOT together haha. However, I reminded myself I hold my own pretty well and they aren’t at my level and I ain’t on theirs. Its all those could have, would have, man I wish I had…moments. He looked me straight in the eye to ask for water and I said to myself – damn you are grown – I remember you being so…lol I dunno even Ricardo and Ezra. The hell!?!?! haha I never really talked to Ricardo…and well Ezra haha. Its crazy how I will never understand their lifestyle, friendships, drama, or whatever because for me I know when I need to get the fuck out cause I ain’t having any of that. It made me say to myself, my man is coming. After all these great things happening to me, I know that he is coming too. 😛

I don’t need to hope…cause I know. What a rush right?

I am in a point in my life where if you ain’t on point I will leave. I am in a point in my life where school is definitely a priority as well as my career. I am in a point in my life where I feel great about everything =] Things are doing great for me. I am doing fine.

mmmm I think I’m just overwhelmed haha

iljb#35: ilike QUOTES by me! :D

My PASSION is my DRIVE that will get me to my DESTINATION to my FUTURE. Believe in yourself and the world will come to you!

I care about my happiness so thats what I’m going to do tomorrow, take care of my happiness.

My future is unstoppable only if I believe it to be! I am a force to be reckoned with!

I live for my future, I live for my family and friends, I live to make change, I live this struggle because I can handle it.

You can escape only for so long. But you’ll end up having to face your reality.

I continue to wonder what I’ve left behind. But I’m not holding on to baggage thats not mine. All I know is the broken can be fixed.

I live the exceptional lifestyle, feels good.

People with integrity do what they say they are going to do. Others have excuses.

Life is possible when your dreams are alive and real.

Nothing is impossible, unless you make it.

Knowing you worth is half the battle.

I’d give you my advice, but its better if you took your own.

We all live by the rules of love, but we forget that there weren’t any rules to begin with.

You’re the music that keeps me on my feet.

They can talk all they want, but thats all they do – talk.

I can’t own your actions.

The journey is priceless.

If you’ve experienced the worst, expect to come out of it better than you were in it.

You’ve made me cry because you meant that much to me.

If it doesn’t work a third time, it will never work.

Its easy to move on because the situation seems all to familiar.

I look back and wonder what I could have done differently.

Money does make me happy.