| Subject: Strictly FYI: News from Minnesota, Texas, Florida, Utah, California, Everywhere |
| From: Joseph Bonnell <josephbonnell@gmail.com> |
| Date: 7/27/2011 11:02 PM |
| To: NEWS@safeschoolscoalition.org |
Dear Safe Schools Coalition,
1) Minnesota school district faces suit over "neutrality" policy
2) ACLU Statement on Lawsuit
3) Fort Worth School Board Adds Gender Identity to Anti-Harassment Policy
4) Miami-Dade School District, the fourth largest in the nation, has added gender identity to their harassment and anti-bullying policy.
5) UT to add gender-neutral bathrooms
6) Opponents Of Calif Gay History Law Begin Collecting Referendum Signatures
7) Roommate in Tyler Clementi webcam case says evidence withheld
8) Social media to combat homophobia in schools
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July 25, 2011 |
2) Message From Southern Poverty Law Center
July 21st 2011
Today, we've filed a federal lawsuit to protect gay, lesbian and transgender students [http://splcenter.org/get-informed/news/splc-sues-minnesota-school-district-to-protect-lgbt-students-from-harassment-hosti?ondntsrc=MBC110770ALE&newsletter=dnewsgen-072111] in a Minnesota school district where at least four LGBT students have died by suicide in the past two years.
The Anoka-Hennepin school district near Minneapolis is "ground zero" in our fight to stop the rampant bullying of LGBT students. Physical and verbal abuse has been allowed to flourish under the district's so-called "neutrality" policy.
The misguided policy stigmatizes LGBT students " casting them as pariahs who are not welcome in the school community, a message that encourages their abusers.
This bullying has devastating consequences, as the heartbreaking suicides in Anoka-Hennepin and elsewhere illustrate.
You can learn more about the situation in the Anoka-Hennepin school district in a special CNN investigative piece scheduled to air at 8 p.m. EDT on Sunday, July 24.
Our work would not be possible without the support of people like you. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of children who are suffering from bigotry and injustice.
3) Fort Worth School Board Adds Gender Identity to Anti-Harassment Policy
Posted on 30 Jun 2011 at 2:07pm
http://www.dallasvoice.com/fwisd-adds-gender-identity-expression-student-policy-1081647.html
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From Equality Florida Blog:
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Posted on 26 Jul 2011 at 3:34pm
http://www.dallasvoice.com/ut-add-gender-neutral-bathrooms-1084271.html
http://www.ontopmag.com/article.aspx?id=9047&MediaType=1&Category=26
http://www.365gay.com/news/roommate-in-tyler-clementi-webcam-case-says-evidence-withheld/
SOCIAL media is at the centre of a new government-backed campaign to stamp out homophobia in Victoria's schools.
The Stand Out! campaign will be launched today by government group the Safe Schools Coalition, will use online resources to share stories of how students have dealt with homophobia.
Coordinator of Safe Schools Coalition Victoria Roz Ward said young people can play an important role as positive role models.
"There are young people across Victoria who are making a real difference by challenging homophobia in their schools.
"This resource brings together some of those stories and advice so other students can do the same," Ms Ward said.
Online videos and social media, as well as information booklets, are some of the resources to be given to high schools across the state.
The campaign follows research from La Trobe University that shows 75 per cent of same-sex attracted young people have experienced some form of homophobic abuse.
Verbal abuse has been encountered by 61 per cent of those bullied, while 18 per cent have experienced physical homophobic abuse.
Around 80 per cent of these homophobic incidents take place in schools, making it the least safe place for these young people to be.
Education Minister Martin Dixon said the Safe Schools Coalition would help schools explore the impact of homophobia on young people.
"It's an important step in ensuring school communities have the resources and confidence to challenge homophobia and respect diversity," Mr Dixon said.
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