Bringing it close to home
Thank you for the kind [article], Denny! [“Bringing the love to war: Speakers at a Syrian-refugee symposium encouraged people to be involved,” Feb. 17, 2017] We were happy to have you join us and help raise awareness of the Syrian crisis.
Keri Hughes
Long Beach
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A dangerous gamble?
A two-state solution has been the foundational bipartisan foreign policy stance of the US for decades, and it is my sincere belief it is the only rational path toward peace. The one-state alternative the President so glibly hinted he may adopt would do nothing to ensure Israel’s long-term security or enable Palestinian aspirations for their own state. Foreign policy by trial balloon is a dangerous gamble and does nothing to resolve the Israel-Palestinian conflict. A lasting peace can only come through direct, two-party talks between Israelis and Palestinians. Not through off-handed and ill-advised comments by President Trump.
Alan Lowenthal
U.S. Representative
California’s 47th District
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Looking back, reaching forward
As the first African-American elected to the Board of Equalization since its inception in 1891, I am often the only minority in the room when important decisions are being made, when California’s resources are being allocated and jobs are being protected. This blessing of being the “first” comes with the responsibility to embody affirmative action and protect the path to the top for others to follow.
Often, I long for the day when the dreams of my forefathers of equality, opportunity and equal access become a reality, but until then, I am reminded that progress requires persistence, justice requires continued diligence and our freedoms will only last as long as we are willing to continue to fight for what is right.”
During Black History Month, I encourage you to take a moment to teach our young people that, “the sky is not the limit when they have their eye on the universe that is before them.”
Jerome E. Horton
Board of Equalization
Member
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Education for all?
[Wednesday] President Donald Trump’s administration, including newly confirmed Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos and Attorney General Jeff Sessions, rescinded Title IX guidance that protects transgender and gender-nonconforming students’ equal access to educational opportunities across the nation. The rollback of these protections will allow many states and school districts to discriminate against transgender and gender-nonconforming students without repercussion. There is no doubt that many students, families and educational institutions will be negatively impacted by this change.
In California, a state with some of the strongest anti-discrimination protections in the United States, there is reasonable assurance that the current protections for transgender and gender-nonconforming students will remain intact. However, The LGBTQ Center of Long Beach unequivocally supports federal guidance ensuring equality for all students across the nation. Rescinding vital protections for some of our most vulnerable students is a dangerous step backwards in our country.
While the federal government is choosing to dismiss the rights of transgender and gender-nonconforming students, The Center will not waiver in our commitment to safety and full inclusion in school for all students. We will continue our successful partnerships with school districts across Southern California, as well as continue to expand our efforts to support increasing safety and educational equity at school communities across the country.
Porter Gilberg
Executive director
The LGBTQ Center Long Beach
Joel Gemino
Youth Services Manager
The LGBTQ Center Long Beach
