CHAPEL HILL - Boy Scout Troop 505 and other organizations that do not share the Chapel Hill-Carrboro YMCA's non-discrimination policy may no longer use its facilities.
The YMCA board decided June 22 to extend its non-discrimination policy, which protects gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender employees and members, to organizations that meet at the Y's facilities, executive director Jerry Whortan said.
If you’re looking to improve GLBT practices in your YMCA you’ll be in good company, as demonstrated by the Fortune Magazine list of the Best Places to Work If You’re Gay. If your community has a local operation for one of the best places companies, why not ask for a contribution of their HR department’s help as a “thought partner” for your work?
Watch for a list of affirming and welcoming Ys to the GLBT community!
LIVING OUR BRAND PROMISE IN THE WAKE OF GAY SUICIDES
Given our commitment to nurturing the potential of EVERY child and teen, think about what your Y could be doing to urge people to talk openly about last week’s highly reported suicides linked to harassment of gay young people.
As an example, at Y-USA members of the GLBT Affinity Group are hosting a lunch forum on October 11, National Coming Out Day. Imagine if even a fraction of our Ys held similar discussions between staff, children, teens, families and/or members. (We will be adding a moment of silence for not just last week's tragic suicides, but for the countless young people who have taken their lives rather that live with bullying from unthinking peers.)
Here's how we are describing the event to our staff at Y-USA – please consider getting on board with a similar discussion (and email info@ymcaglbt.org.
ASSOCIATED PRESS EXAMINES RIGHTS AND FAMILIES
How "family" is defined is a crucial question on many levels. Beyond the debate over same-sex marriage, it affects income tax filings, adoption and foster care practices, employee benefits, inheritance rights and countless other matters. Read Who’s a family? New study tracks shifting US views in Las Vegan Sun (9.15.10) David Crary | The Associated Press. Click here
UNDERSTANDING 