Teachers Organize A Day Without Gay Activities

Posted with permission from Scott Craig at www.philly.com;

Philadelphia, PA - After seeing the movie “MILK” with Sean Penn, teachers Scott Craig and Michael Farrell decided they, too, needed to take action.  The two teachers from Independence Charter School in Philadelphia began to organize the school’s teaching staff to show support for gay rights in conjunction with the grassroots organizers of “Day Without a Gay” coinciding with International Human Rights Day.  Supporters of marriage equality are encouraged to “call in gay” to work and instead spend the volunteering in their local communities.

Craig and Farrell were encouraged when they received such strong support and participation from their fellow teachers and staff.  Approximately 25 teachers plan to call out on Wednesday and to have their classrooms covered by substitutes.  Those substitutes and the rest of the ICS teachers will present a day in observance of International Human Rights Day.  Meanwhile the 25 teachers, dressed in t-shirts that say “Got Milk?,” as well as a host of others from the community will participate in a day full of opportunities to dialogue and volunteer.

“We have been so encouraged by the supportive response of the community,” Craig said.  “A number of parents from the school are even getting involved.”  One mother, unable to take the day off from work, has offered to purchase coffee at a local café for all the teachers attending a dialogue about equality and how it relates to the classroom.

“We want to get the conversation going in the community that gay is not bad,” Craig said. “For kids to hear that in a positive light can be life-changing.”

The day’s activities will begin with coffee and conversation from 9:45-11am at Brew HaHa Café20(212 South 12th Street).  Teachers and staff will have the opportunity to discuss how to integrate current human rights issues into the classroom.  They will also explore their own responsibility in creating a safe space for all students, particularly those dealing with coming out and who have same sex parents.

From 11:30– 1:30 the teachers will attend a human rights talk at the ACLU (Bourse Building- 5th Floor, Suite 570) as well as volunteer at the center.   A representative from the ACLU will host them at their Philly Headquarters where we will have an opportunity to learn about the work of the ACLU and its effects on the GLBT community.

At 1:45 they will view the film Milk at the Ritz Five Movie Theatre (214 Walnut Street).

The day will conclude with “Milk & Cookies” from 5-8pm at a local restaurant, providing an opportunity for peop le who were not able to call out to participate in the event.

For all the information, check out DayWithoutGay.org!