What about “Sexual Orientation”?

You can view the Cincinnati School District’s policies online here.  Click on “5000 Students,” and you’ll find the district’s anti-harassment policies (5517) and the anti-bullying policies (5517.01).  Check out 5517, and you’ll see on the various types of harassment named—such as “Sexual Harassment,” “Race/Color Harassment,” “Religious (Creed) Harassment,” National Origin Harassment,” and “Disability Harassment.”  Where is the definition for “Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity Harassment”?

Public school is a place where all members of the public should feel safe.  If some students identify as members of the GLBTQ community, shouldn’t they receive, for example, the same protection as those with religious beliefs outside the mainstream?

I hereby propose the following addition to section 5517:

Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity Harassment

Prohibited sexual orientation harassment occurs when unwelcome physical, verbal, or nonverbal conduct is based upon an individual’s real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity 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 or gender identity such as slurs, nicknames implying stereotypes, epithets, and/or negative references relative to said orientations or identities.

When elected, I will work to strengthen anti-harassment and anti-bullying policies.  I have already proposed making it easier to report bullying, but adding this definition is just common sense.  This has nothing to do with one’s personal morality; instead, this is about providing a safe environment for all of Cincinnati’s public school students.  No group should be left out of policies geared towards providing safety.