GLSEN Statement on Meeting with Scretary DeVos
NEW YORK (March 8, 2017) – “I joined my colleagues from NCTE and Equality Michigan and a delegation of families in meeting with Secretary DeVos to relay the concerns and fears of hundreds of thousands of students, educators, and parents who have been affected by the alarming actions of the Trump administration.
“We highlighted the pervasive violence and discrimination that the majority of transgender students face across the country, including being prevented from using their correct name and pronouns and appropriate school facilities. We told DeVos about the immediate impact of withdrawing the guidance, and discussed ways that she might be able to mitigate the pain, fear, and confusion that decision has caused. We described the years of experience, research and careful policy-making behind the original Title IX guidance and all of the emerging best practices it helped to publicize.
“Above all, we ensured that DeVos heard – directly from us – that we will not budge or compromise when it comes to the full support and protection that all of our children, including LGBTQ youth, deserve from this Administration, from the Department of Education and from its Office for Civil Rights.”
About GLSEN
GLSEN champions safe and affirming schools for all students. We envision a world in which every child learns to respect and accept all people, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression. Each year, GLSEN programs and resources reach tens of thousands of K-12 schools across the United States, and our network of chapters brings GLSEN’s expertise to their local communities. GLSEN's progress and impact have won support for our work at all levels of education in the United States and sparked an international movement to ensure equality for LGBTQ students and respect for all in schools. For more information on GLSEN’s policy advocacy, student leadership initiatives, public education, research and educator training programs, please visit glsen.org.
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Brutal torture of Clearfield cat, $5,000 reward offered
Humane Society of Utah adds a reward for arrest in extreme torture case of pet cat
The Humane Society of Utah (HSU) is adding a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible for the torture of a 6-year-old gray and white domestic cat named Sage in the Clearfield, Utah area. Owner China Rose posted graphic photos of Sage on Facebook March 8, 2017, with a detailed description of the abuse. The HSU hopes the reward assists Davis County Animal Services in obtaining information required to identify and charge whoever is responsible for this gruesome and brutal act of animal cruelty.
The Humane Society of Northern Utah has offered to cover the veterinary hospital expenses for Sage. Donations may be sent to the Humane Society of Northern Utah (HSNU) at 801-603-1905 or Advanced Veterinary Care in Salt Lake City, Utah at 801-942-3951.
“They broke his ribs, his little toes, beat his face, glued his eyes shut, tried to glue his penis and anus shut, burned him with hot glue, and put silicone on him,” said Debbie Barnes, HSNU president. “This is the worst abuse case I have ever seen.”
According to China Rose in her Facebook post, Sage was found Wednesday, March 8, at 6:30 a.m. with cut whiskers, shaved fur and signs of torture. Sage was wearing a black collar that did not belong to the Rose family.
“What we saw broke our hearts,” said China Rose on her Facebook post. “He was beaten, and he was totured [sic]. His whiskers were cut. His fur was shaved. His face was beaten. His ribs are snapped. His paws are broken. He can't walk. He can't speak. He was totured [sic] with hot glue. As well as with silicone. His eyes are swollen shut. He is hurting. He came home with a black collar on that didn't belong to us. How he made it home, will never make sense. But the fact that he found his way home to us, indicates how strong Sage is. He is a fighter. Our hearts are broken because there is so little we can do. ”
“This gratuitous torture of a cat has us at a loss for words,” said Deann Shepherd, HSU representative. “It is disgusting and frightening that someone or some people would intentionally cause this much pain and injury to a helpless creature. As one of the most extreme cases of animal torture we’ve seen, we hope that someone will come forward with information to hold the person responsible for their actions and remove them from the community before they cause any further harm.”
HSU recommends pet owners keep their cats indoors to prevent the risk of outdoor injuries from occurring.
According to the Utah State Criminal Code, it is a third-degree felony for a person to intentionally or knowingly torture a companion animal. Torture is defined as intentionally or knowingly causing or inflicting extreme physical pain to an animal in an especially heinous, atrocious, cruel or exceptionally depraved manner.
Anyone with information regarding who may be responsible for the torture of Sage is urged to contact Davis County Animal Services at 801-444-2200 and tips can remain anonymous, or John Fox, HSU chief investigator, at 801-261-2919 ext. 210.
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About the Humane Society of Utah
The Humane Society of Utah is dedicated to the elimination of pain, fear and suffering in all animals. Since 1960, the HSU has been sheltering homeless animals, fighting cruelty and neglect, and creating an environment of respect, responsibility, and compassion for all animals across the state of Utah. HSU is the largest open-admissions shelter in the state and welcomes any companion animal that can legally be admitted. As a member of the No
-Kill Utah
(NKUT) Coalition, the HSU works hard to ensure that every healthy and treatable pet that enters the facility will be placed into a loving home. The Humane Society of Utah is a local, private 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that does not receive any state tax dollars or government funding. HSU is funded by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses and foundations. Read more about the HSU online at www.utahhumane.org.
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