Education Secretary Pledges to Make Schools Safe for All
Education Secretary Arne Duncan
recently met with members of GLSEN about safe schools issues
nationwide. The meeting, the first ever between a secretary of
education and LGBT advocates, was a big step forward. Secretary
Duncan pledged to make all schools safe for students regardless of
their sexual orientation, gender identity and gender
expression!
Last year, GLSEN, Family Equality Council and COLAGE issued a report entitled, “Involved, Invisible, Ignored: the Experiences of LGBT Parents and Their Children in Our Nation’s K-12 Schools." The unprecedented, national report highlights the many harassment and discrimination issues facing LGBT families in K-12 public schools. According to the report, 40% of children of LGBT parents are verbally harassed at school.
We’ve utilized this report and other GLSEN research to build our case for including protections for LGBT families in safe schools laws nationwide. In particular, we’ve used this groundbreaking research to develop with OutFront Minnesota the “Minnesota Safe Schools for All Bill,” currently being considered in the Minnesota Legislature. (Click here for a one-sheet on the bill.)
The bill received its first committee vote this Tuesday, March 24th. The Senate Education Committee passed the bill out of committee—a major, positive step forward. Now we work to get the bill heard in the House and voted on in the Senate. We’ll keep you updated—stay tuned for more!
Last year, GLSEN, Family Equality Council and COLAGE issued a report entitled, “Involved, Invisible, Ignored: the Experiences of LGBT Parents and Their Children in Our Nation’s K-12 Schools." The unprecedented, national report highlights the many harassment and discrimination issues facing LGBT families in K-12 public schools. According to the report, 40% of children of LGBT parents are verbally harassed at school.
We’ve utilized this report and other GLSEN research to build our case for including protections for LGBT families in safe schools laws nationwide. In particular, we’ve used this groundbreaking research to develop with OutFront Minnesota the “Minnesota Safe Schools for All Bill,” currently being considered in the Minnesota Legislature. (Click here for a one-sheet on the bill.)
The bill received its first committee vote this Tuesday, March 24th. The Senate Education Committee passed the bill out of committee—a major, positive step forward. Now we work to get the bill heard in the House and voted on in the Senate. We’ll keep you updated—stay tuned for more!