Nettelhorst Elementary School to show solidarity with surrounding gay community

By Rex W. Huppke | Tribune reporter

June 25, 2009

The black metal fence in front of Nettelhorst Elementary School is obscured by thousands of strips of dyed fabric -- yellows giving way to greens, then blues, purples and reds -- each one tied on by the small hands of a student.

The ruffled, waist-high rainbow is a symbol of the school's solidarity with its east Lakeview community, and a sign hanging by the gate trumpets that Nettelhorst this year "will be the first Chicago public school to march in the city's gay pride parade."

"We believe family means everybody," the sign reads.

Amy Goodman agrees with that. She'll be in the parade at noon Sunday with her husband, towing their 6-year-old son and 3-year-old daughter in a wagon bedecked in rainbows.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-gay-pride-parade-25-jun25,0,3925455.story

3 years old that little girl should not even know what straight/gay means no innocence is left I bet she grows up jaded

Pete Chagnon - OneNewsNow - 6/19/2009 5:00:00 AM

A NASA employee is voicing concern over a recent email and memo from her supervisors.

The controversial memo was sent out by NASA officials to employees and encouraged them to celebrate "Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month," in accordance with a presidential proclamation. NASA officials not only encouraged employees to celebrate the pro-homosexual observance, but also encouraged them to participate in pride events in their communities. If there was no such event in their community, employees were encouraged to start one. (See related story)
 
However, one employee -- who asked to remain anonymous -- was offended by the memo because she does not believe it is NASA's place to encourage employees to celebrate a lifestyle she and others do not agree with. She also stated that it was ironic that NASA would encourage participation in this event, but around Christmas time does not send out any emails or memos encouraging employees to celebrate that holiday or any other religious events.
 
The NASA employee did tell OneNewsNow that another employee is voicing concern to upper management via email. "I don't know how much of it will make it past the center level and actually get up to the acting director," she says.
 
The employee adds that even if it did, she doubts it would make much of a difference.

Why shouldn't federal agencies encourage their employees to participate

in observances that focus on 'hot-button' social issues (e.g., homosexuality, abortion)?

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