Equality in the News: March 6 - March 13, 2009

With this week's introduction of the School Violence Prevention Act (House Bill 548, Senate Bill 526), there was a good bit of coverage in the media, so let's get right to it:

School Violence Prevention Act

• Triangle folks can see what Raleigh's local newspaper, the News & Observer had to say about the press conference here.
• WRAL's site featured an impassioned editorial in support of the bill.
• The Rocky Mount Telegram featured an excellent article with lots of quotes (including one from NC PTA President Debra Horton, who says the bill will "ensure that all children in North Carolina have a safe and supportive environment where they can realize their full potential"). That article can be read here.
• The Fayetteville Observer gives an interesting take on the bill's introduction, with a "if gays get protected from bullying, it's a slippery slope to other gays trying to get their gay rights"-style quote from Family Policy Council President Bill Brooks. Glad the article included quotes from 16 year-old Kate Mabe's impassioned plea for the bill.
• The folks at Blue NC wrote a great article that includes some great quotes from the Presser, and you can find that here.
• Pam's House Blend featured Mabe's full testimonial and video of her speech (which can also be found with other bullying stories on the newly launched Prevent School Violence North Carolina's Bullying Blog).
• A basic AP story also ran all over the place, including WRAL, WBTV, the Greenville Daily Reflector, the Rocky Mount Telegram, the Greensboro News & Record, WCNC, WBT, WXII, the Shelby Star, and WFMY. Another blurb appeared in the Asheville Citizen Times.
  

Healthy Youth Act

• This bill, which Equality NC is supporting along with many other NC organizations, seeks to offer a choice between comprehensive and abstinence-only sex-ed. It's approval by the House Education Committee got lots of coverage around the state, including articles in the Charlotte Observer, the Asheville Citizen Times, and others.
  
• An excellent editorial in the Charlotte Observer makes the case for this important bill.
• The Wilmington Star-News also supports the bill based on the success of a similar program in New Hanover County.
  
• In addition to blogging extensively about the School Violence Prevention Act and constantly putting the word out about our Day of Action, Pam mentioned the good news which you can find at the end of that entry.

Other News

• Q-Notes is keeping the Marriage Discrimination Amendment issue fresh by posting an article about it's introduction last week with some great quotes from our very own Ian Palmquist.

That about sums up the news from this week. Much of the news being reported about the SVPA is a recycled AP News story that doesn't feature many quotes - so make sure you become a reporter yourself by asking friends, neighbors, and co-workers if they've heard about it and try to garner some support.

In the meantime, check out the Prevent School Violence NC Bullying Blog which will be updated frequently with a new bullying story from students, parents and educators from around the state.

Enjoy your weekend!