| | - HB2112: Would require proof of age before accessing pornography on the Internet. Problem: Who decides what constitutes “pornography?” Opens the door to ban LGBTQIA-related content, reproductive health info, sex education, HIV/AIDs info, etc.
- SB1269: Would allow volunteer school chaplains to replace trained social workers, takes away parents’ rights to manage children’s religious education, and tracks students’ religious affiliations.
- SB1002: Would require educators to obtain written parental permission before using a student’s chosen pronouns, if they don’t match student’s biological sex at birth. This bill targets trans students (who already face higher risk of harm) and politicizes teachers.
- SB1003: Would prevent students from using the bathroom, locker room, sleeping facility, etc. that aligns with their gender identity. Trans and non-binary students would face bodily scrutiny, and public schools would be exposed to lawsuits.
- SB1586: Requires medical professionals to pay the costs for those who received gender-affirming care as a minor, and later want to “gender detransition” and “reclaim their God-given gender.” Retroactive for 25 years after the care was received.
- HB2868: Would ban trainings/education about certain minority or marginalized groups. Leads to racism, bigotry and hate while privileging groups already in power.
Prop 123: The AZGOP is attempting to thwart the will of the voters once again when it comes to gutting Arizona public schools by expanding vouchers. Specifically, they're planning on shoving universal ESAs into the AZ constitution by tying voucher expansion to teacher pay through Prop 123. In a nutshell, Republicans are endangering teacher pay raises in order to (further) decimate education for public education (read more about Prop 123 shenanigans from our friends at CEBV). In the face of strong public opposition, the plan to force it through has been delayed until May 19-20. Now's a good time to contact your lawmakers' offices and tell them to only support a clean version of Prop 123. Bigotry at Mesa Unified School District Board: An MUSD board member has proposed a "gender dysphoria" policy that attacks trans and non-binary students, and the board is in discussion about adopting it. Such a policy flies in the face of MUSD's history of inclusivity and ignores a past legal challenge that validated current district policy. The new policy, introduced by board member Sharon Benson, would require parental notification if a student requests a change to their pronouns or name, raising concerns about "outing" transgender or non-binary students. The policy also mandates that students use restrooms and locker rooms aligning with their sex assigned at birth. More than 80 people signed into speak at the latest MUSD board meeting, with the vast majority opposition to the bigotry. Read more and contact the Mesa Unified School District Board to tell them to oppose this hateful, harmful policy. |
| |
|
| |  | Katherine Stewart: Friday at 11:30a We're excited to invite you to a virtual event featuring noted journalist Katherine Stewart. She'll be discussing her new book Money Lies and God: Inside the Movement to Destroy American Democracy. Stewart writes for The New York Times, New Republic and many others, and has appeared on CNN, MSNBC, and NPR. The recent Rob Reiner film God and Country is based on her book The Power Worshippers. Please note that this talk starts at 11:30am. Details and RSVP here |
| |
|
 | Christian Indoctrination in Arizona Public Schools Calling all parents with students in Deer Valley Unified School District: A Christian nationalist organization has plans to indoctrinate your students during regular classroom hours. LifeWise Academy has infiltrated Arizona public schools, and is moving to execute Bible lessons during the school day in DVUSD. If you don't want your children being told they're going to hell if they don't believe, that they're sinners, that LGBTQ people are "evil," on school time in a school setting, it's time to take action. Learn more here. If you're a parent with students in DVUSD, we want to hear from you. Contact us at info@secularaz.org. |
| |
|
| | | | | SECULAR NEWS FROM AZ AND BEYOND Stand up against the real bullies: High school cheerleading coach Alyssa Plaza was terminated by the Yuma Union High School District board for allowing a male student to change in an empty girls' locker room in order to protect the male student from bullying and harassment. Students and community members have rallied in the coach's defense, arguing the decision was unjust and discriminatory, that Plaza is being targeted by the board for supporting LGBTQIA+ students. and urging the board to reinstate her. Read more, sign a petition, and help support Alyssa Plaza. Episcopal Church says "no" to racist Trump administration order: The Episcopal Church is refusing to help the Trump administration resettle white South African "refugees," ending a long-standing collaboration on refugee resettlement. This decision highlights the disparity in wait times, as 49 white Afrikaners received priority status, while other non-white refugees face much longer delays. The church's stance is in response to President Trump's claims regarding "reverse racism" against white South Africans. Wonder where that ear worm came from? Read more. Anti-science, pro-death: Ever wondered what might happen if a conspiracy-theory-promoting, anti-science-know-nothing ass clown who doesn't believe germs cause disease was put in charge of public health? Unfortunately, we're all about to find out. Mr. "I do my own research" RFK Jr. is using his massive platform to spread anti-vaccine misinformation, particularly the debunked link between vaccines and autism, and pushing eugenics on us all. Recent reporting underscores how he's working to spread distrust of established science, disregarding overwhelming evidence, and amplifying anti-science views to harm public health. It's ironic that these anti-evolutionists are pushing survival of the fittest. Read more. Cruelty is the point: A Tucson medical provider halted gender-affirming care for minors, leaving patients and their families in the lurch. El Rio Health says they will no longer provide pediatric gender-affirming care due to threats from the Trump administration. These threats have created a chilling effect on healthcare services for transgender youth across Arizona. Research on regret — one of the reasons the administration gives as justification to shut down care — shows that less than 1% of adults who transitioned in childhood or adolescence regret the treatment. Just for comparison, that's a lower rate of regret than that of knee or hip surgery. Read more. |
| |
|
| | | |
|
| | | | Secular AZ
PO Box 47756 | Phoenix, Arizona 85068
6023804810 | info@secularaz.org |
| | |
|
| |
|
|
