San Jose Stands Proud: In an emotional display of solidarity, the San Jose City Council unanimously passed a resolution affirming its support for the transgender and broader LGBTQ+ communities. This resolution came in response to a series of divisive actions by a conservative parents group, Informed Parents of Silicon Valley.
The resolution was authored by Councilmembers Pam Foley and Omar Torres, who took action after Informed Parents of Silicon Valley distributed brochures in local school districts, encouraging parents to opt their children out of sex education classes that included LGBTQ+ supportive curriculum and advocating for a ban on LGBTQ+ themed books in school libraries.
Foley highlighted the misinformation and hateful undertones in these brochures, emphasizing the group’s targeting of the LGBTQ+ community. She expressed her firm stance against allowing any form of marginalization and attacks on community members.
In addition, Torres—who is out gay—spoke of receiving death threats for supporting the LGBTQ+ community, as did Foley. His voice cracked with emotion as he bemoaned the state of affairs in which people, particularly young people, are afraid to be who they truly are. Torres adamantly declared that the time had come to make it plain that they would not be intimidated or made to go back into hiding.
The resolution called upon elected officials to condemn anti-LGBTQ+ activities in local schools and affirmed support for LGBTQ+ communities. It stressed the importance of providing children with a safe and supportive environment in schools. Foley referred to a survey from the previous year, which indicated that 45% of LGBTQ+ youth had considered suicide. However, supportive schools and communities played a vital role in reducing these alarming rates.
In the spirit of this resolution, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors passed a similar resolution in August, supporting gender-affirming care countywide. During the same month, the San Jose Unified School District also unanimously passed a pride resolution, further demonstrating the commitment to creating inclusive environments.
Todd Davidson, a member of Stone Church of Willow Glen, voiced his opposition to the actions of Informed Parents of Silicon Valley. He characterized their mission as divisive and criticized their efforts to eliminate critical education programs while spreading misinformation and hateful messages against the LGBTQ+ community and racial minorities. Davidson made it clear that such actions had no place in their community.
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