NEA DELEGATE REPORTS OF NEA CONVENTION

Shows support for the homosexual movement over a period of years.

Evidence in Support of the Belief that the NEA and its State Affiliates had Every Intention of Endorsing Same Sex Marriage at the ’06 NEA Annual Meeting in Orlando (thwarted by three million emails sent out by The American Family Association informing the public of NEA’s intention to endorse gay marriage).

1) The NEA Delegate packets mailed to the 9,000 delegates early in June included the Preliminary Report of the 2005-2006 NEA Resolutions Committee; the proposed amendment to Resolution B-8 Diversity appeared on page 13, lines 48-50. No correction slips were included in that mailing, which would be expected had the NEA Resolutions Committee dropped any of the proposed changes. NEA Public Relations Director, Andy Linebaugh, now claims that same sex marriage endorsement language was dropped in some irregularly scheduled meeting shortly after the Winter (FEB) meeting. NEA Resolutions Meetings are typically held twice a year in February and just before the NEA Annual Meeting at the end of June.

The AFA press used the exact wording of the proposed amendment to Resolution B-8 Diversity in this Preliminary Report in advance of the NEA Orlando Meeting. The front cover of the Preliminary Report states that: “This is the official copy of the proposed resolutions. For Vote by the 2006 NEA Representative Assembly, Orlando, FL.”

2) The NEA website had the same language mailed to the delegates of the B-8 Diversity amendment stating civil unions and/or marriage as a legal right of all diversity groups. This language was viewable on NEA’s website until day after the AFA email was distributed.

3) Ohio Education Association staff and some delegates received an email (below) from their state leadership revealing that new language for the B-10 Discrimination amendment would be discussed in the June 29th Resolutions Committee. Together in this email, it was reported that a “malicious email campaign” by AFA wrongly interpreted the proposed NEA Resolutions amendment as endorsing same sex marriage.

----- Original Message -----

From: Lee, Lori [OH]

To: Lee, Lori [OH]

Sent: Thursday, June 22, 2006 9:03 AM

Subject: NEA RA Anti-Discrimination Amendment and the American Family Association

Date: June 21, 2006

From: Gary L. Allen, OEA President

Dennis M. Reardon, Executive Director

To: OEA Executive Committee, District Leaders and OEA Staff

Re: NEA RA Anti-Discrimination Amendment and the American Family Association

We need to bring to your attention a malicious e-mail campaign to distort and criticize NEA’s position against discrimination and a
proposed NEA RA resolution on that same subject.

As you know, the NEA opposes discrimination in any form and has a specific position calling for the protection of our members’ rights, regardless of race, color, creed or sexual orientation.

There is a new Resolution up for discussion at the July 2006 NEA Representative Assembly that would underscore NEA’s opposition to discrimination in any form. On June 29, the NEA Resolutions Committee will consider language that clarifies and reaffirms this anti-discrimination position. The revised, proposed language states:

“The Association also believes that these factors should not affect the legal rights and obligations of the partners in a legally-recognized* domestic partnership, civil union, or marriage in regard to matters involving the other partner, such as medical decisions, taxes, inheritance, adoption, and immigration.”

Nothing is official until the delegates vote in July, but this issue has already drawn an e-mail attack based on claims by the conservative
group, American Family Association (AFA). The e-mail claims NEA plans "to approve and promote gay marriage.” This e-mail is
being sent to NEA affiliate staff and members throughout the country.

AFA’s message distorts both NEA policy and the process of formulating NEA policy. NEA President Reg Weaver has issued
a statement explaining, “NEA has no position on same-sex marriages, and leadership is not seeking to establish such a position.
We are focused on Great Public Schools for Every Child.”

We couldn’t agree more. Nevertheless, you should be prepared to answer questions from members who may have received the distorted
information by e-mail. We will keep you updated.

Thanks for your support in this matter.

_____________________

*As of June 2006 in the United States, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts recognizes same-sex marriage, while California, Connecticut,
the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maine, New Jersey, and Vermont grant persons in the same-sex unions a similar legal status to those in a
civil marriage by domestic partnership, civil union or reciprocal beneficiary laws.

4) CTA (California Teachers Association) endorsed gay marriage, Feb ’04. A letter from CTA lobbyist to Mark Leno is viewable at the Capitol Resource Institute website.

5) Pre-existing language embedded in NEA policy would lead one to believe that endorsement of gay marriage was inevitable. OH delegate, Judy Bruns noticed some of this language, and asked questions of Brent McKim, chair of the NEA Resolutions Committee:

Following is a question that I, Judy Bruns, asked at the June 30, 2006 Resolutions Open Hearings, and the response I received:

B-1, Early Childhood Education----“On p.11, in Resolution B-1, in the context of lines 44-47,” (The Association also believes that early childhood education programs should include a full continuum of services for parents/guardians and children, including childcare, child development, developmentally appropriate and diversity-based curricula, special education, and appropriate screening devices.) , ”what specifically is being encouraged for early childhood education, in line 46, with the words ‘diversity-based curricula?’ Does this refer to the first paragraph of B-8?”

(Paraphrased) Response: Yes, NEA would interpret the word “diversity” as it is spoken of in the first paragraph of Resolution B-8.

Resolution B-8. Diversity. The National Education Association believes that a diverse society enriches all individuals. Similarities and differences among races, ethnicity, color, national origin, language, geographic location, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age physical ability, size, occupation, and marital, parental, or economic status form the fabric of a society.

The Association also believes that education should foster the values of appreciation and acceptance of the various qualities that pertain to people as individuals and as members of diverse populations.

The Association further believes in the importance of observances, programs, and curricula that accurately portray and recognize the roles, contributions, cultures, and history of these diverse groups and individuals.

The Association encourages affiliates and members to become part of programs and observances that may include cultural and heritage celebrations and/or history months. (l995, 2006)

On Wednesday, July 5, 2006, at the NEA Rep. Assembly, I went backstage to speak with Brent McKim, co-chair of the NEA Resolutions Committee. Confused by all the additions, deletions, modifications, etc. that had taken place with resolutions and new business items over the last couple days, I asked Mr. McKim for an understandable explanation of the results of the B-10 amendment (originally introduced as a B-8 Amendment). He said that B-10 showed NEA’s support for gay marriage in states where it was legalized. I asked (over and over, to make sure he understood my question and that I understood his reply) if NEA supported gay adoption. He said, yes, in “legal” states. I wanted to make sure I fully understood the implications of the B-10 amendment, so I asked if as a result of the B-10 amendment, NEA might be made an advocate for legally married gays who wanted to adopt, even if their state did not specifically say they could adopt. The answer was “yes,” that the NEA would be in a position to advocate extending the same rights married heterosexuals have in those states.

Resolution I-43. Institutional Discrimination The National Education Association believes that the fabric of our society is strengthened when the contributions of all its diverse members are encouraged and embraced. The Association recognizes that institutional and public policies and practices sometimes discriminate against some segments of the population.

The Association deplores those social, institutional, and governmental actions and policies that engender discriminatory practices. The Association encourages its affiliates, in concert with community organizations, to educate the public to bring about an awareness of such policies and practices and to actively work to eliminate them. (1998, 1999)

Resolution I-44. Use of prejudicial Terms and Symbols The National Education Association deplores prejudice based on race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identification, gender, age, disability, size, marital status, or economic status and rejects the use of names, symbols, caricatures, emblems, logos, and mascots that promote such prejudice. (1992, 2002)

Resolution I-41 Elimination of Discrimination The National Education Association is committed to the elimination of discrimination based on race, gender, ethnicity, economic status, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identification, age, and all other forms of discrimination.

The Association believes that honest and open conversation is a precursor to change. The Association encourages its members and all other members of the educational community to engage in courageous conversations in order to examine assumptions, prejudices, discriminatory practices, and their effects.

The Association condemns any code or system of discrimination and exploitation. The Association also believes that sanctions are both justified and necessary against governments, organizations, businesses, and/or groups that utilize or support discriminatory practices. (1976, 2005)

Resolution F-1. Nondiscriminatory Personnel Policies/Affirmative Action The National

Education Association believes that, except a otherwise provided below, personnel policies and practices must guarantee that no person be employed, retained, paid, dismissed, suspended, demoted, transferred, retired, or harassed because of race, color, national origin, cultural diversity, accent, religious beliefs, residence, physical disability, political activities, professional association activity, age, size, marital status, family relationship, gender, sexual orientation, or gender identification. . . .

(1969, 2002)

Resolution B-46 Sex Education . . . Such programs should include information on sexual abstinence, birth control and family planning, diversity of culture, diversity of sexual orientation and gender identification, parenting skills, prenatal care, sexually transmitted diseases, incest, sexual abuse, sexual harassment, homophobia, . . . (1969, 2002)

Resolution A-14 Financial Support of Public Education—See letter “m”—Funds must be provided for programs to alleviate race, gender, and sexual orientation discrimination and to eliminate portrayal of race, gender, sexual orientation, and gender identification stereotypes in the public schools. ---See letter “n” also.—Public funds must not be expended for any materials used to promote race, gender, or sexual orientation and gender identification stereotypes and/or biases.

Resolution B-10. Racism, Sexism, Sexual Orientation, and Gender Identification Discrimination. The National Education Association believes in the equality of all individuals. Discrimination and stereotyping based on such factors as race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identification, disability, ethnicity, immigration status, occupation, and religion must be eliminated.

The Association also believes that plans, activities, and programs for education employees, students, parents/guardians, and the community should be developed to identify and eliminate discrimination and stereotyping in all educational settings. Such plans, activities, and programs must---a). Increase respect, understanding, acceptance, and sensitivity toward individuals and groups in a diverse society composed of such groups as American Indians/Alaska Natives, Asians and Pacific Islanders, Blacks, Hispanics, women gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transgendered persons, and people with disabilities. ---b) Eliminate discrimination and stereotyping in curricula, textbooks, resource and instructional materials, activities, etc. . . ---h) Encourage all members of the educational community to examine assumptions and prejudices, including, but not limited to, racism, sexism, and homophobia, that might limit the opportunities and growth of students and education employees

C-27. Student Sexual Orientation and Gender Identification The National Education Association believes that all persons, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identification, should be afforded equal opportunity and guaranteed a safe and inclusive environment within the public education system. The Association also believes that, for students who are struggling with their sexual orientation or gender identification, every school district and educational institution should provide counseling services and programs that deal with high suicide and dropout rates and the high incidence of teen prostitution. These services and programs shall be staffed by trained personnel. (1988, 2002)

Resolution F-8. Basic Contract Standards-----See e) Employer-paid fringe benefits, including but not limited to comprehensive health, life, dental, vision, and income protection insurance and employee assistance programs, that fully cover bargaining unit members, domestic partners, and their families

Resolution F-11. Benefits . . .(amend) The Association further believes that education employees and their spouses, legally-recognized domestic partners, and . . .

Resolution F-58. Retirement The National Education Association shall provide leadership in retirement issues and believes that state and local retirement systems and programs should include—See bb) Fully paid comprehensive health insurance, including reimbursement for Medicare Part B premiums, for retired education employees, their spouses, domestic partners, and/or dependents - --Also see dd) All retirement benefits for spouses equally available for domestic partners

Resolution I-11. Civil Rights The National Education Association is committed to the achievement of a totally integrated society. The Association calls upon Americans to eliminate—by statute and practice—barriers of race, color, national origin, religion, philosophical beliefs, political beliefs, gender, sexual orientation, gender identification, age, disability, size, marital status, and economic status that prevent some individuals, adult or juvenile, from exercising rights enjoyed by others. . . . (1969, 2004)

Judy Bruns’ third question relating to Resolutions I-43 and I-44: “As an Evangelical Christian, my beliefs and my religion have been discriminated against at these RAs when it comes to NEA’s support of abortion and NEA’s support of homosexual marriage. I simply ask that NEA looks into the matter of religious discrimination.”

Reference #1: Resolution I-43. Institutional Discrimination The National Education Association believes that the fabric of our society is strengthened when the contributions of all its diverse members are encouraged and embraced. The Association recognizes that institutional and public policies and practices sometimes discriminate against some segments of the population.

The Association deplores those social, institutional, and governmental actions and policies that engender discriminatory practices. The Association encourages its affiliates, I in concert with community organizations, to educate the public to bring about an awareness of such policies and practices and to actively work to eliminate them. (1998, 1999)

Reference #2: Resolution I-44. Use of prejudicial Terms and Symbols The National Education Association deplores prejudice based on race, ethnicit, religion, sexual orientation, gender identification, gender, age, disability, size, marital status, or economic status and rejects the use of names [A Baptist pastor who spoke at an NEA program at the convention center, a day or two before the RA started, used the terms “religious right” and “radical religious right a total of nine times. These terms have been hurled at Biblical opponents of the NEA continually over the last 5+ years] , symbols, caricatures, emblems, logos, and mascots that promote such prejudice. (1992, 2002)

(Paraphrased) Response from the chair: The NEA doesn’t take a stand on abortion or gay marriage. The NEA is neutral.

**Additional Reference Note: See Resolution I-41 Elimination of Discrimination, also. The National Education Association is committed to the elimination of discrimination based on race, gender, ethnicity, economic status, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identification, age, and all other forms of discrimination.

6) The Co-Chair of the NEA Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Transgendered Caucus said in their caucus meeting that she didn’t see what the problem was with the B-8 language (endorsing gay marriage) because it was the exact wording of what they had already passed in WA.