VICTORY FOR LESBIANS & GAYS
School board votes to respect diversity
By Marge
Maloney
Buffalo, N.Y.
The Buffalo School district now officially prohibits
discrimination and harassment based on sexual orientation, a
policy change that is long overdue.
The school board voted unanimously to amend two existing
policies to include sexual orientation as a protected category
in hiring, promotions, and access to services and benefits.
In addition, the board also unanimously approved a
resolution declaring its determination to create "safe schools
in a pluralistic society" by promoting tolerance for all
people. The resolution further directs the district to develop
"age appropriate programs to teach respect for diversity"
through curricula, codes of behavior and staff training.
This victory over bigotry was made possible through the
efforts of a determined group of activists--parents, teachers
and lesbian, bi, gay and trans community activists, who were
committed to making Buffalo schools safe spaces for all
students.
Dr. Frank Carnevale, a Buffalo pediatrician, cited studies
showing that lesbian and gay adolescents are at greater risk
for drug use, suicide and abuse at home and school. Of
successful teenage suicides, one-third of the victims are
thought to be lesbian, gay or bisexual youth.
The Empire State Pride Agenda, a political advocacy group
for lesbian and gay issues, was also actively involved in the
successful passage of this resolution.
Allen Richards, a spokesperson for the group, said that
prohibition of harassment or discrimination based on sexual
orientation is not common in school districts throughout the
state. "It's great that Buffalo has said 'no' to discrimination
by doing this action."
Buffalo is not a hotbed of progressivism. That this
resolution passed unanimously shows that bigotry can be fought.
The task for activists now is to make sure that this policy is
enforced on all levels. This is a great victory over bigotry,
but under a just system, where differences among people are
accepted and not exploited, this resolution wouldn't even have
been necessary.
This article is copyright under a Creative
Commons License.
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