wfn.org | UCC Action on Gay-Inclusive Diversity Education in Public Schools

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

> Contact: J. Bennett Guess
> Director of Communication
> United Church of Christ
> Phone: 216-403-9862
> E-Mail: guessb@ucc.org

> Wednesday, June 24, 2009

ADVISORY:

Christian denomination could focus national spotlight on northern
California fights over gay-inclusive diversity education in public schools

Telephone News Conference to be held Friday, June 26, 12 p.m. ET, 9 a.m. PT

WHAT:  A national church body may publicly rebuke the use of
"wellbeing of children" and "religious freedom" as wedge being used to
prevent the visibility and full integration of lesbian, gay, bisexual
and transgender people.

WHEN: Telephone Press Conference  -- Friday, June 26, 2009, 12 p.m.
(ET); 9 a.m. (PT)

WHO / WHY:  The UCC' regional Northern California ? Nevada Conference is
asking 900 delegates at the denomination's national General Synod to
approve a "resolution of witness" that calls national church attention
to recent events in California, where the Castro Valley Unified School
District and the Alameda Unified School District have come under fire
from conservative groups trying to impede diversity/multicultural
enrichment programs and anti-bullying safe schools curricula that
foster a climate of acceptance and affirmation for LGBT students and
their families.

> Proposed action before UCC General Synod:

http://www.ucc.org/synod/resolutions/gs27/gs27-29.pdf

Speaking on the telephone press conference will be:

The Rev. Michael Schuenemeyer, the United Church of Christ's Executive
for LGBT, HIV/AIDS, Health & Wholeness Ministries, in Cleveland, Ohio.

Mr. Sean Cahill, Alameda, Calif., parent with two children in
elementary school; parent representative on the curriculum committee;
co-chair, Alameda Community Alliance for Resource and Education.

Ms. Teri Kennedy, member of First Congregational UCC in Alameda,
Calif., parent of elementary aged child; teacher in the Alameda
Unified School District.

The Rev. Laura Rose, Senior Pastor, First Congregational UCC in
Alameda, Calif.; member of the Steering Committee of Alameda Community
Alliance for Resource and Education.

The Rev. Dr. Arlene K. Nehring, Senior Minister, Eden United Church of
Christ in Hayward, Calif.

Athena Guy Malloy, Moderator-Elect, Eden United Church of Christ in
Hayward, Calif.

> ###