The first NGS Alliance Day

January 25th, 2012, today, marks the first National Gay-Straight Alliance Day. This event has been designed to enhance the bond between the LGBT community and the straight community in hopes to destroy homophobia and transphobia. Bullying in school has been an enormous problem since the beginning. Once a bully finds a reason to bully, they lock on and never let go. Homosexuality has had a great influence on bullying. There are an estimated 5,000 suicides due to bullying in schools every year, a fraction of this number is bullying because one is homosexuality. Some of the suicides due to bullying because of homosexuality include: Justin Aaberg at age 15 in July 2010, Jamey Rodemeyer at age 14 in September 2011, and Asher Brown at age 13 in September 2010. Hopefully this event NGS Alliance Day will end these young suicides and help promote Gay Rights.

Religious discrimination in elemetary school

     This is a pentacle, it is a Wiccan symbol of the elements. Some wear it as pride in their faith just as one would wear a cross as a Christian or the Star of David if Jewish. Grace, a fourth grader at Galtier Magnet School, thought the same. She wore one on a necklace to school everyday after her mother gave it to her. One day when her teacher was out her substitute pulled her aside and told her she needed to put it inside her shirt or take it off. Grace did what was asked of her, even though the remainder of the students were not asked to put any of their religious symbols aside. When she went home that afternoon she told her mother what had happened. Her mother was just upset as she was when she called the school to speak with the principal. Her mom was then shocked when she was told the same day that the substitute would no longer be teaching in her school and there was a probability that he would not be teaching in any of the local schools any longer as well. The principal also gave a contact for a follow up to see how Grace and her mother were doing.
     Pagans have as many rights as anyone else and to be treated how Grace was is completely unacceptable. Same with any other minority religious group. Every person is equal and being treated differently because of a necklace is totally unfair and uncalled for.

Imbolc, a celebration of Spring

     Imbolc is the Pagan Sabbat to celebrate Spring. It is the midpoint between the winter solstice, Yule, and the summer solstice, Ostara. It is not only a time to celebrate the new coming season, but also to celebrate life. Wiccans recognize the returning of the Goddess on this day. The Goddess is returning from her departure at Yule and life is coming back to the land from her magical touch. This year Imbolc takes place on February 2nd. Many people are already preparing for the holiday in two weeks. Gardens are being prepared, plants and seeds are being chosen, also, most are looking forward to harvesting in the fall. This is possibly one of the most important days on the year in the Pagan religion. Blessed Be and I hope your Imbolc, whether you recognize it as a holiday or not, is full of life.

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