N E W S R E L E A S E For Immediate Distribution: July 11, 2006
GLSEN and Metropolitan Community Churches Partner To Bring Educator Trainings to Cities Across the U.S. Workshops Offer In-Depth Understanding To Address Anti-LGBT Bias
New York â GLSEN, or the Gay Lesbian & Straight Education Network, announced its partnership today with Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC) to bring GLSEN's Teacher/Educator Training Workshops to additional cities across the United States. The Teacher/Educator Training Workshop seeks to give allies in education a more in-depth understanding of how to address anti-LGBT bias in their schools and to make them safer for all students, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
"The Teacher/Educator Training Workshop program is a tremendous resource developed to provide hands-on training experiences for educators and our al lies in education," said GLSEN's Founder and Executive Director Kevin Jennings. "We are delighted to bring this training to additional cities throughout th e U.S. and excited by the tremendous response from educators and youth servic e providers."
The first joint training program in March reached capacity and was an overwhelming success. Future dates and locations include:
Aug. 25-26 -- MCC of Greater New Orleans, New Orleans Sept. 15-16 -- Church of the Trinity, Sarasota, Fla. Sept. 22-26 -- MCC Austin at Freedom Oaks, Austin, Texas Oct. 7 -- City of Angels MCC, Los Angeles Oct. 20-21 -- Valley Ministries MCC, Stockton, Calif. Nov. 3 -- Resurrection MCC, Houston
"We know that teachers, counselors and administrators often do not interven e in incidences of anti-lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender name-calling and harassment," said MCC's Executive Director Dr. Cindi Love. "Sometimes educators simply do not know what to do; through these trainings we want to encourage, enlighten and empower them to make change."
Rev. Pat Bumgardner, who initiated the MCC and GLSEN partnership, added, "One of the most vital things any faith community can do is to bring GLSEN âs Teacher/Educator Training Workshop to your area. It will make our schools s afer; educators desperately need the information this workshop provides."
To learn more about scheduling a Teacher/Educator Training Workshop in you area, contact _TOT@glsen.org_ (mailto:TOT@glsen.org) . To register for one o f these trainings, please visit _http://www.mccchurch.org/glsen-mcctraining_ (http://www.mccchurch.org/glsen-mcctraining) .
About GLSEN
GLSEN, or the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, is the leading national education organization focused on ensuring safe schools for ALL students. Established nationally in 1995, GLSEN envisions a world in which e very child learns to respect and accept all people, regardless of sexual orientat ion or gender identity/expression. For more information on GLSEN's educational resources, public policy and public education work, student organizing programs, research or development initiatives, continue to visit _www.glsen .org_ (http://www.glsen.org/) .
About Metropolitan Community Churches
Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) is a Christian denomination practicing ecumenical and interfaith leadership as an official observer of the World Council of Churches. MCC operates in 26 countries and in 237 cities in the United States. Founded in 1968 by Reverend Dr. Troy Perry, Metropolitan Co mmunity Church had the first publicly proclaimed ministry of welcome to LGBT people . _www.MCCchurch.org_ (http://www.MCCchurch.org)
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Media Contacts:
Daryl Presgraves Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network 646-388-6577 _dpresgraves@glsen.org_ (mailto:dpresgraves@glsen.org)
Jim Birkitt Metropolitan Community Churches 310-625-4177 _info@MccChurch.net_ (mailto:info@MccChurch.net)