The following emails are self-explanatory:
Dear Ms. Felton,
The message from you, below, was sent to me by a Sterling resident and taxpayer. Please be advised that such purported state-required LGBT training violates the First Amendment rights of Sterling Senior Center employees and volunteers to be free from forced political and ideological propaganda, proselytizing, indoctrination, or brainwashing.
SEE Generally:
I respectfully suggest that by insisting on such LGBT ‘training’ the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Town of Sterling are exposing themselves to potential liability for violations of Sterling Senior Center staff members’ and volunteers’ Constitutional and Civil Rights.
In this context the proper training is simple and consists of this: In Massachusetts it is illegal to discriminate in the area of public accommodation on the basis of sexual orientation. That takes about 15 seconds, not 45 minutes.
I have copied the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, to which I am a long-time donor and supporter, on this email.
Sincerely,
Jim Gettens
Lawyer, Retired
Sterling, Massachusetts
Hello Everyone,
As service providers under the realm of the Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA), all staff and volunteers at Sterling Senior Center are required to complete LGBT training by the end of June 2022.
Training is online, simple, and takes approximately 45 minutes. You can pause training and resume at a later time. There is no test, and you will receive a certificate at conclusion.
You can access the course via the link: https://sites.bu.edu/maasap/lgbt-aging-in-massachusetts-registration/
If you have no online access at home, or need technical help, I can set you up in the classroom here at the Senior Center. Just contact me to set up a time.
On course completion, please e-mail me a copy of your certificate so I can check you off my list .
This is a state required training session. If anyone has any questions or concerns regarding the training or has technical issues, please see me or call me.
And don’t forget to log your volunteer hours for this.
By the way, if you haven’t joined us for a while please let me know that you’re still interested in helping out! We have a few openings in the kitchen now and special events coming up – we’d love to see you!
Thank you for your continued support,
Clare
Clare Felton
Operations & Volunteers Coordinator
[Sterling Senior Center]
978-422-3032
NOTE: Unfortunately the link to the article on the U.S. Supreme Court’s Janus decision did not connect but you can look up that famous case yourselves.
J.G.
STERLING, MASSACHUSETTS, OVERWATCH 