Yesterday,we reported on the VEA’s proud go-along at the NEA national convention endorsing same-sex marriage (see here). Instead of concetrating on issues that matter to teachers and improving education, the VEA has endorsed advocating a radical left-wing policy in contradiction of the Virginia Constitution and statutory law.
The president of the VEA, Dr. Kitty J. Boitnott, responded to our post with a long comment on the thread stating that our take on the VEA/NEA position wasn’t exactly what the convention meant with its lock-step adoption of the radical homosexual agenda. She goes on about “social justice.” What any of this has to do with teaching clearly is beyond most parents’ concerns for their children’s education.
Not only is the homosexual marriage resolution contrary to the views of a majority of Virginians, she did not answer our concern about whether the VEA, with this policy position, now will encourage its member teachers to ignore the new traditional marriage guidelines to the Family Life Education curriculum. A true conflict of interest now is on the record.
Adopting a radical agenda contrary to Virginia law. Wasting time on matters completely non-germane to education. A significant conflict of interest.
We report. You decide. Below is the resolution:
NEA Representative Assembly New Business Items (NBIs)
NEW BUSINESS ITEM E
ADOPTED“Resolutions B-13 (Racism, Sexism, Sexual Orientation, and Gender Identification Discrimination) and I-13 (Civil Rights) set forth NEA’s opposition to the discriminatory treatment of same-sex couples and its belief that such couples should have the same legal rights and benefits as similarly-situated heterosexual couples. The Legislative Program is in accord: NEA supports “obtaining, preserving, and strengthening basic civil and human rights under law,” and specifically calls for “passage of a federal statute prohibiting employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity and expression.” Section IV(b). In implementation of the foregoing policies, the Representative Assembly adopts the following action plan with regard to same-sex couples:
1. NEA will support its affiliates seeking to enact state legislation that guarantees to same-sex couples the right to enter into a legally recognized relationship pursuant to which they have the same rights and benefits as similarly-situated heterosexual couples, including, without limitation, rights and benefits with regard to medical decisions, taxes, inheritance, adoption, and immigration.
2. NEA does not believe that a single term must be used to designate this legally recognized “equal treatment” relationship, and recommends that each state decide for itself whether “marriage,” “civil union,” “domestic partnership,” or some other term is most appropriate based upon the cultural, social, and religious values of its citizenry.
3. NEA will support its affiliates in opposing state constitutional and/or statutory provisions that could have the effect of prohibiting the state and its political subdivisions from providing the same rights and benefits to same-sex couples as are provided to similarly-situated heterosexual couples.
4. NEA will take such actions as may be appropriate to support efforts to (a) repeal any federal legislation and/or regulations that discriminate against same-sex couples, and (b) enact federal legislation and/or regulations that treat same-sex couples and similarly-situated heterosexual couples equally with regard to social security, health care, taxation, and other federal rights and benefits.
5. NEA recognizes that the term “marriage” has religious connotations and that same-sex marriages may not be compatible with the beliefs, values, and/or practices of certain religions. Because of its support for the separation of church and state and the right to religious freedom guaranteed by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, NEA supports the right of religious institutions to refuse to perform or recognize same-sex marriages.
The Executive Committee will monitor the implementation of this New Business Item, and keep NEA affiliates informed of actions taken to achieve its objectives.”
I really don’t see how anyone could reach any conclusion other than the VEA is now stepping outside of the reach that is their purpose and endorsing same sex marriage in direct opposition to Virginia Statutes.
I think that perhaps it is time to drastically cut funding to the VEA. They obviously have a lot of free time and manpower to pursue non educational, liberal agenda. I would suggest totally dropping the VEA and using that wasted money to hire more teachers and pay the ones we have a better salary. That would improve the state of education in the Commonwealth more than the VEA will ever do.
It is my opinion that the VEA had morphed into a state funded liberal lobby group. Have they even registered as lobbyists for gay issues?
There is also a good article on this at http://kirchmanassociates.blogspot.com/2009/07/education.html and it talks about alternatives to forced participation in the VEA that occurs today, as well as the gay agenda the teachers are forced to teach our children.
I know several teachers that have complained to me about the pressure to join the VEA and being forced to pay for their liberal agenda. Good, Christian, Conservative teachers are forced to spend their money to support this garbage. And under Tim Kaine, this is simply allowed to happen.
The state needs to refuse to collect dues for the VEA from teacher’s paychecks and let them fend for themselves. And remember, the VEA represents the TEACHERS, not the STUDENTS!
Tom -
Thanks for your input and for pointing out the post at The Journey. We enjoy that blog, too.
Can you do us a favor and explain in some detail how the state is involved in the VEA dues collection? We’re not familiar with it. What I suppose you mean is that the state, acting as the employer, witholds the dues from the member teachers and distributes it to the union? Are you a teacher and do you know this for sure? Teachers, at least obstensibly, are employees of their respective school districts, although we realize the state pays a good portion of their salaries.
Steve,
The admin
One misundestanding I see here. The state does not fund VEA. The members of VEA do the funding. So I’m puzzled by whom you think should cut funding to VEA. Teachers are not forced to join VEA. Virginia is not a collective bargaining state for public employees. Some school divisions have agreed with their local assoiation to deduct association dues from paychecks; others have not. That is a local school division decision; it has nothing to do with the state Board of Education. Individual VEA members disagree with VEA positions; so do individual church members. That’s part of our society free way of life. You either work within the orgnization to change it, or you leave the organization, or you accept the organization as it is.
That’s right, Laura. And since the leadership of the NEA/VEA is wacko-leftist, members should leave! What does homosexual marriage have to do with education? Teachers who genuinely care about improving education and who favor innovations such as charter schools, cutting out the beauracracy, etc., should leave this shill organization for America’s socialists.
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