Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

One local organization where my sister lives is called Equality Texas and can be located at: http://www.equalitytexas.org/. This organization has established routines to Educate, Advocate, Volunteer and Donate towards the cause of equality in Texas. They work in such avenue as safe schools for all youth, relationship recognition, gender identity/expression and non-discrimination. This organization appeals to me because it fits all the criteria of diversity and equality. There are opportunities to serve as interns and volunteer. Employment is offered as well in research and grant development. The website states that “No Texan should fear that bias or prejudice will result in unfair treatment in classrooms, communities, or workplaces. These spaces should be safe for every person, regardless of that individual's sexual orientation or whether or not the person fits expectations for masculinity or femininity”.

A second local organization is the San Antonio Human Rights Campaign (HRC). This organization states that is has “1 million members and supporters nationwide. As the largest national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, HRC envisions an America where LGBT people are ensured of their basic equal rights, and can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community” and can be located at: http://www.hrc.org/the-hrc-story. I chose this organization because the Gay and Lesbian fight for basic rights is such a hot topic that seems to be so far behind the times. This issue is specific to my challenge this week and important to me because the children in these families deserve all the rights and opportunities that everyone other child does. Job opportunities include public education and outreach, operations and development.

A third organization is the Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians & Gays (PFLAG) in San Antonio. This is another organization that supports my particular challenge for this course and can be located at: http://pflag-sanantonio.org/. This organization “promotes the health and well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered persons, their families, and friends through: support, to cope with an adverse society; education, to enlighten an ill-informed public; and advocacy, to end discrimination and secure equal civil rights”. I could not locate any job opportunities with this organization but it is still a good resource for the local community.

The skills and experience needed for any of these organizations is a passion and dedication to the cause at hand. Also good communication skills are necessary to educate, advocate and draw attention to the cause to better the lives of the children, families and individuals that the organization was designed to assist.