Update on “Sexual Orientation”

A few weeks ago, I proposed the school board add language to their district policies defining sexual orientation harassment.  Since that time, I have spoken at two school board meetings, attended the board’s policy committee meeting, and collaborated with the local branch of GLSEN.  I’m proud to say that my efforts have brought change to the district’s policies.

Imitating the language of already existing policies (section 5517), and considering language suggestions from GLSEN, I revised my original recommendation into this:

Sexual Orientation and/or Gender Identity/Expression Harassment

Prohibited sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression harassment occurs when unwelcome physical, verbal, or nonverbal conduct is based upon an individual’s real or perceived sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression and when the conduct has the purpose or effect of interfering with the individual’s work or educational performance; of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working and/or learning environment; or of interfering with one’s ability to participate in or benefit from a class or an educational program or activity. Such harassment may occur where conduct is directed at the characteristics of a person’s real or perceived sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression such as slurs, nicknames implying stereotypes, epithets, and/or negative references relative to said orientations or identities/expressions.

GLSEN felt it important to specify things like “real or perceived,” and also to add “gender identity/expression” as more specific terms for various manners by which students can suffer from homophobic acts of harassment.

When I attended the policy committee, the group decided that it would be appropriate to rescind policy 5517, and re-establish a previously rescinded policy from the past which avoided definitions, but included the phrase “sexual orientation.”

The board’s rescinding of the policy indicates their awareness of my advocacy’s legitimacy.  I am proud, as a candidate, to be influencing policy decisions in a manner that will benefit kids.

While the previously rescinded (and now re-established) language is not as specific as we would like, it is an improvement, and at this week’s board meeting Melanie Bates said she had spoken to leaders from GLSEN, and that she is interested in seeing draft language they might put together, especially those tested in other districts, to implement an all-inclusive anti-harassment policy that works in the interests of protecting kids.

This kind of advocacy shows that I can accomplish good work just as a candidate—so imagine what I can accomplish as a board member!  Please help me get there by making a donation to the campaign.  You can send a check to the address at the bottom of the page, or you can just use our PayPal link!