I would like to know how much tax money these organizations get under the guise of education.
A few examples from Massachusetts:
An excerpt from "Massachusetts: Governor OKs funding for Gay youth programs"
Years of educating Massachusetts lawmakers about the need for Gay youth support programs paid off recently, when Acting Governor Argeo Paul Cellucci (R) approved an $18.4 billion budget that designates an unprecedented $1 million for Gay youth programs...
According to LaFontaine, the money will be funneled through the state's education department and divided among high school and community outreach programs, and, for the first time, among Gay student groups at state colleges and universities.
The funding was allocated through identical amendments sponsored by state Rep. Alice Wolf (D-Cambridge) and 11 colleagues in the House, and state Sen. Stanley Rosenberg (D-Amherst) and 11 colleagues in the Senate, Bay Windows reported.
Such support, said LaFontaine, is the end result of years of "intensive public education" by the commission.
"We've really changed the consciousness of the public through the personal stories Gay and Lesbian students have told to the media and to their representatives," he said...
Since then, the commission has helped increase the number of Gay/straight alliances from two to 100 and has steadily increased the amount of state funding for non-HIV-related Gay youth programs... The $1 million for this year's fiscal budget represents not only an increase but also the first time Gay-related youth funds are part of a separate budget line item.
At least $600,000 of the money will distributed through grants to help support high school Gay/straight alliances and education programs for teachers and parents; $300,000 will help train human service providers about Gay youth issues and will help fund agencies that provide counseling and crisis intervention to Gay youth. The remaining $100,000 will support Gay/straight alliances at state colleges and universities.
"Five years ago, we couldn't have gotten this money," said LaFontaine. "Today, there's widespread understanding of the problems of Gay youth..."
Carey, whose D.C.-based organization advocates on behalf of Gay, bisexual, and transgender youth, called the Massachusetts budget allocation "incredible," and said it is the first time that a state has included non-HIV-related funding for Gay youth programs as a unique budget line item.
The new funding has already led to the creation of several new resources for Gay youth, including an outreach project for Gay youth of color, and a statewide Parent Pride conference, Bay Windows reported...
In addition, LaFontaine said his commission is working to establish Gay/straight alliances in each of the state's 300 high schools.
"We've made a good first step but we have a long way to go," he said. "We will keep pushing for more funding and keep applying pressure to high schools to make sure they have established Gay/straight alliances."
"With funding through the Massachusetts Department of Education and the Governor's Commission on Gay and Lesbian Youth, GLSEN/Boston developed in-service faculty and staff trainings that have been delivered throughout high schools in Massachusettts and emulated in many states and cities. We are now developing programs for pre-school and elementary school teachers and administrators. Contact us if you'd like to schedule a training."