The Queer Youth Alliance today launches its campaign to fight against
Kent County Council's decision to implement policy to keep Section 28
locally which applies to 600 of it’s schools.

Kent's decision to hang onto this disgusting piece of legislation is a
travesty for all of Kent's young people, gay and straight, and will
only help to bring up another generation who think that homophobia is
OK. It will not help young gay men and women who are struggling with
their sexuality, just as Section 28 didn't help us before it's repeal.
This comes on the eve of the original Section 28 being finally
repealed with effect from 18 November 2003 by Section 122 of the Local
Government Act.

We feel that if Kent gets away with this move, other councils could
try and follow suit. As such, QYA is announcing it's day of action on
Saturday 15th November in Maidstone. We will be assembling outside
Kent County Council Offices at 12:00 noon on Saturday 15th. Activities
organised by young people from all over the country will include a
public rally, street theatre, a silent vigil and petitioning in
protest of the county council’s blatantly bigoted actions.

We have support from a number of other sources, including University
of Kent, Maidstone Youth Association, OutRage and NUS LGB.

The Queer Youth Alliance is a national organisation
run by and for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Trans, curious and questioning
young people. We campaign for equality and liberation of those who are
young and of ‘alternative’ sexualities. We also provide a range of
support services, online counselling, discussion groups and social
gatherings for those who are isolated and cannot access conventional
services. We were founded in Manchester in 1999 by a group of young
activists and have continued to grow and spread ourselves around the
country. Today we have over 1,800 individual members and a number of
affiliated groups.