Advertisement
Staff at the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee joined activists from Berks County, Pennsylvania, outside a golf course on Martha’s Vineyard earlier this week. Holding signs and banners urging the shutdown of the Berks Family Residential Center, they hoped to catch President Obama’s eye as he played golf while on vacation. Immigrant mothers at the facility have staged a hunger strike to bring attention to being held for hundreds of days despite the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security’s claims that the average length of stay for families in detention is 20 days. (Romper.com – 8.15.16)
More coverage:
“Activists from Reading-based group protest near golf course where president played” (Reading Eagle – 8.19.16)
“‘We will get out alive or dead’: Migrant moms on hunger strike in US family detention center” (mo4ch.com – 8.13.16)
Pride school housed in UU church joins trans rights battle
Transgender members of a new LGBTQ Pride School housed at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta, Georgia, were interviewed on CBS News recently in light of the current battle over transgender student rights in public schools. Parents of Pride School students acknowledged that local public schools have failed their children in terms of providing a safe space to receive their education. (CBS News – 8.14.16)
Sex ed for older adults in the spotlight
Melanie Davis, sexuality educator, trainer, and Our Whole Lives (OWL) program associate at the Unitarian Universalist Association made a list of seven innovators in sex education. Davis has been working to eliminate stigmas around sexuality in older adulthood through the OWL program for older adults. Al Vernacchio, a contributor to the OWL program for grades 7-9 is also honored for his “pizza model” of consensual, pleasurable sex. (Refinery29 – 8.18.16)
UU minister joins union contract negotiations
The Rev. Ralph Galen, of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Wakefield, Massachusetts, was asked by the Haverhill hospital nurses union to join other community members to help revive stalled contract negotiations with the hospital. Galen spoke to the hospital president and local media on behalf of the nurses and expressed a hope to find a solution that supports hospital nurses who have spent so much of their work lives healing others. (Boston Business Journal – 8.18.16)
More coverage:
“Haverhill hospital president meets with community leaders over nurses' dispute” (Eagle Tribune – 8.18.16)