REGIONAL
House gives final OK to
sex ed bill
Respect for ‘committed
relationships’ removed
by Matt Comer . Q-Notes staff
A bill that would replace North Carolina’s
abstinence-until-marriage sex education cur
riculum with a more comprehensive sex ed
approach passed 62-52 the House in its third
and reading on April 16.
Supporters of the
Healthy Youth Act (HB
88) say a more inclusive
and effective “absti
nence-based compre
hensive sexuality health
education” is a better fit
for Tar Heel school chil
dren in grades 7-9.
The bill has become a hot button issue
across the state. Opponents and conservative
groups say the measure could destroy respect
for “traditional marriage.” The bill had
instructed school districts to teach students
respect for marriage and “long-term commit
ted relationships.” It was amended to remove
the latter phrase.
The amendment, offered by Democratic
VVhip Rep. Bruce Goforth, was meant to make
the measure less controversial. Conservative
groups, including the Family Policy Council
and Christian Action League, had said inclu
sion of respect for long-term committed rela
tionships would open the possibility of teach
ing students about homosexuality.
Some representatives said such amend
ments weakened the bill.
“Comprehensive sex education is based on
biology, not some ideological, political agen
da,” Rep. Earl Jones (D-Guilford) said, accord
ing to The News & Record.
Despite the removal of the committed rela
tionship language, EqualityNC Executive
Director Ian Palmquist (pictured) told Q-Notes
he believes the bill remains the right choice for
school children.
“Some compromises had to be made to get
it through the* House,” he said. “It’s certainly
not perfect and not everything we wanted but
we do believe it is still an important step for
ward in providing kids accurate information
to protect themselves.”
Palmquist said polls and experiences from
counties with comprehensive sex ed curricula
show that most parents will choose a compre
hensive option if it is available.
EqualityNC has signed on to support the
bill with several youth and health organiza
tions across the state.
Palmquist said “a lot of work” remains to
see the bill passed in the Senate. “It is possi
ble,” he said.
At press time, the Senate had yet to take
any action on the bill. I
TOY honored with national
counseling award
Organization plans May 5 arts celebration
CHARLOTTE — Time Opt Youth, a local
LGBT youth support and socialorganization,
has been presented a national award honoring
LGBT counseling.
The 2009 Joe Norton Award for
Outstanding Contribution to the
LGBT Community was presented by
the Association of Lesbian, Gay,
Bisexual and Transgender Issues in
Counseling (ALGBTIC). It was pre
sented at the conference of the
American Counseling Association,
held in Charlotte in late March.
Time Out Youth CEO Steve
Bentley said the award came with a
$300 financial contribution. The
award is named after ALGBTIC’s
founder.
Bentley said the organization is
excited about the hire of former
intern Laurie Pitts. Her employment
with the agency increases part-time
staff from two to three. Bentley said
increased staff numbers mean
increased services and more availability for
LGBT youth in need.
The group will hold its annual fundraiser,
A Celebration of the Arts, on May 5 at
Theatre Charlotte, 501 Queens Rd. A silent
auction begins at 7 p.m. The arts show
begins at 7:30 p.m.
Some of this year’s performers include The
Chuckleheads, The Gay Men’s Chorus of
Charlotte, The Charlotte Community
Three of four Time Out Youth Board of Director
youth members and the ALGBTIC national award,
l-r: Izel Posada, James Medlin, Donnell Beaty.
Drummers, Susan Roberts Knowlson, Robbie
Jaeger, Viscera Dance Theatre and others.
Tickets are $35 in advance and $40 at the
door, and can be bought by calling Time Out
Youth at 704-344-8335 or online at
www.acelebrationofthearts.com. I
The mde-A'^Way
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The Hide-A-Way is a proud supporter of the Catawba Care Coalition.
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