Recently in Activism Category

A letter to Ginny and Jim Maziarka

April 28, 2009 2:45 AM | No Comments | No TrackBacks

After reading a March 31, 2009, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article titled "West Bend couple circulate petitions to remove library books they consider obscene," I felt compelled to look up the Maziarkas on whitepages.com and send them a letter.

Milwaukee PrideFest 2007

June 9, 2007 11:46 PM | No Comments | No TrackBacks

Eric and I spent a lot of time planning how we'd get to Milwaukee for PrideFest this year. We went back and forth between taking the bus and driving, but eventually we had my mom pick us up. She brought us to my house in West Bend, where Eric spent a little bit of time meeting random members of my family. He was a bit nervous and complained about his clothes, but he of course looked great, and he had nothing to worry about.

Homophobia educational seminars: protesters!

April 20, 2006 4:43 PM | 18 Comments | No TrackBacks

The seminars were educational and the goal was to raise awareness of LGBT issues, so that people can be more respectful in their words. We had two sessions, at 3 and 6 p.m. We also attracted protesters!

Day of Silence demand letter to Shirley Reis

March 29, 2006 12:00 AM | No Comments | No TrackBacks

Demand letter by Ian A. J. Pitz to Shirley Reis, School Board President, Hartford Union High School The letter begins: This office has been retained to represent Hartford Union High School students Cassandra W, Kaycie K, Joe R, Ryan Ge., Becki B and Sarah J, members of the Hartford Union High School Gay-Straight Alliance ("GSA"). The GSA has scheduled its annual Day of Silence for April 26, 2006 and it is my intention to ensure that the Hartford Union High School Chapter of GSA is permitted to mark that occasion and make use of school resources to publicize it this year and in the future. The conclusion: This year and in all future years, we expect Hartford Union High School to permit the Day of Silence -- and to provide access to school-sponsored media for promotion of the event. Again, if the school declines to do so, I request that you advise me of the school's intention immediately so that...

Day of Silence letter

April 12, 2005 10:30 PM | No Comments | No TrackBacks

Dear teacher, How often do you think before you speak? What do you think about? Growing up, I would bet everybody hears that question countless times, from parents, and from teachers. Is it not reasonable then to expect parents and teachers to think before they speak? I think it is. Obviously, a teacher would not use the word “nigger” in a derogatory way in the presence of a black student. That student is visible, and you would not want to disrespect him or her. Similarly, you probably would not want to say something like “children of divorced parents are deprived,” or anything similar. If someone in your class has divorced parents (which is very likely) and you said that, many students would feel uncomfortable, if not be outright offended, and that would immediately put up a learning barrier. Your goal as a teacher is probably to harbor an atmosphere of learning, and you probably want to do everything in your...