The Student Non-Discrimination Act (SNDA) and the Safe Schools Improvement Act (SSIA) would address anti-gay bullying and harassment and require that school initiate and enforce anti-bullying policies.

On Friday, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan condemned the quiet culture of anti-gay harassment in the public schools. “Bullying can no longer be seen as a normal rite of passage,” Duncan said. “As a country, we must all work together to take action against bullying and improve the safety climates of our schools and communities.”

The April 20 announcement came on the heels of news last week that President Obama has decided against issuing an executive order that would require federal contractors to implement nondiscrimination policies based on gender identity and sexual orientation. The administration has been widely criticized by LGBT advocacy and human rights groups for its inaction on the issue. Senate votes on SNDA and SSIA could take place later this year. The bills’ sponsors, Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) and Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA), have said they will introduce their measures as amendments to the larger Elementary & Secondary Education Act reauthorization when that bill comes to the full Senate for a vote.

Republican U.S. Senate Candidate Compares Anti-Gay Bullying and Violence to “Teasing” ALBUQUERQUE, NM – In a rebuke to the suicides of gay teenagers who were subjected to harassment and violence, a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate from New Mexico has added her voice to the anti-gay bullying chorus, claiming that proposed federal legislation to provide similar civil rights protections to LGBT students in cases of bullying “as those that currently apply to students based on race and gender” would be like criminalizing “teasing.”

The Student Non-Discrimination Act (SNDA) would establish federal protections for children against harassment based upon gender identify and sexual orientation. The measure requires schools to implement policies of nondiscrimination and to take immediate action to investigate and address cases of bullying and harassment.

It has 37 Senate co-sponsors and 157 House co-sponsors.

At a candidates’ debate on April 12, for U.S. congresswoman Heather Wilson said that “With respect to this particular agenda we have to recognize as parents that children tease each other because you’re short or you’re tall or you’re a redhead or because you’re ugly or because you’re smart or because you’re dumb or all kinds of differences and as parents we have to deal with that and strengthen our children to be comfortable with themselves and also to show empathy and acceptance towards others, but that particular act is so broad it would actually punish children and say that it’s prohibited to express an opinion with respect to homosexuality in the schools. I just think that’s wrong and it’s a violation of the First Amendment.”

Wilson said that the logic behind SNDA was “misplaced” because, she claimed, pre-pubescent children don’t know if they’re gay. She was also uncomfortable with legislation that “criminalizes bullying” of gay children.

“It basically makes federal funding dependent on school board policies that will not tolerate bullying of people based on their sexual orientation or, you know, even when kids are below puberty,” Wilson claimed.

School administrators had originally told Elizabeth Garrett, an openly-gay sophomore at Brookwood High School in Tuscaloosa, that she could not take a female to the school prom.

“Eventually we got to level of clarity needed to call the whole thing off,” said Sam Wolfe, a staff attorney with the SPLC. “Really the clarity we needed was for the school to recognize that students like Elizabeth can be allowed to go to prom with same-sex dates and wear clothes with messages in support of gay and transgendered people.”

In February, Wolfe and the SPLC received a letter from the school district which acknowledges the rights of LGBT students.

The attorney for the Tuscaloosa County School System, Ray Ward, confirmed the resolution. “We have a general nondiscrimination policy,” he said. “We have allowed in the past in this school system students to have same-sex dates at prom, so it’s a nonissue.”

“I want people to understand that we’re people like everyone else and deserve equal rights,” said Garrett, 16, after her victory. “Especially for teenagers in high school. We should be allowed to be who we are. If you tell people there’s something wrong with who they are, it hurts them. So much.”

(Photo courtesy of Anita Priest Whispering Angels Memorial Scholarship Fund)

BY DMITRY RASHNITSOV

Having come off a successful third year of scholarship donation at their banquet this past April, the Anita Priest Whispering Angels Memorial Scholarship Fund is ready to give out more money to highly qualified GLBT students in the arts and design programs.

Candidates wishing to be considered for Scholarships may send their resumes to stuart@gellerdesigngroup.com The Scholarship Committee will be meeting Mid July to review all applicants.

Last year’s scholarship winner was Jennifer Maria Cordoba. She received more than $1,000 a year to study photography.

“What a terrific group and an outstanding legacy in helping other up and coming students. I am very proud to be part of this group,” said UK Entertainer Ross Sykes.

Mrs. Priest was famous in the Miami circles for being one of the best interior designers in all of South Florida. She also started an interior design college that was the first to offer classes to women. Her college was located in what is now known as the design district.

The person behind the scholarships is Sandra Holiday, Anita’s long-time partner.

Along with Stuart Geller, the duo have put together an impressive board of directors and in a short amount of time raised a lot of money to help students of the arts and design.

“Through the Scholarship fund, you are continuing Anita’s life and legacy,” said longtime friend Enbar Cohen.

Some of the famous people gathered on the Scholarship board include singer Debra Hampton who wrote the song Whispering Angels of which the group has its name, Madonna’s brother Christopher G. Ciccone, and famed Fashion Designer Isaac Mizrahi.

“Anita Priest has left a legacy. now “Whispering Angels” will help others to leave theirs. The Scholarship Memorial Fund has been created to help those ‘deserving and passionate’ about the Arts!” Geller said.

For more information or to see photos of last years banquet, join the Facebook group, Anita Priest Whispering Angels Memorial Scholarship Fund.

By DMITRY RASHNITSOV

The Broward County Council of Gay-Straight Alliances, an independently-run LGBT student group, has announced its’ list of endorsements for the 2010 election cycle. Representing student groups from 26 Broward High Schools, the Council advocates on behalf of LGBTQ students and teachers.

“In these challenging times for LGBT Equality, we are proud to stand beside our allies and work to ensure fair-minded, progressive candidates are elected to positions that can help ensure LGBT students receive a fair and adequate education,” said Ryan Terrell, President of the Broward Council of GSAs.

The Council plans on providing volunteers, tactical advice on issues, and other campaign services to its preferred candidates. They have already supported a couple of Broward campaigns this year.

Andrew Torres of Coral Springs, the incoming President of the Council, added that the Council usually makes endorsements only in races that it deems can have a direct impact on LGBT students and teachers.

“We’re looking forward to a fun and spirited campaign cycle,” said Torres, who takes over at the end of the school year.

This year’s endorsements are:

Scott Galvin- U.S. Congress, District 17 Justin Flippen- State Representative, District 92 Ken Keechl, Broward County Commission, District 4 Patti Good- Broward County School Board, District 2 Dave Thomas- Broward County School Board, District 4 Laurie Rich Levinson- Broward County School Board, District 6 Jennifer Leonard Gottlieb-Broward County School Board, District 8- At Large.

The Broward GSA was founded in February 2008 and has about 50 members.  In two years the group helped more than 20 high schools start local gay-straight alliances.

“This new community support was essential to our efforts to pass a Broward School Board Resolution recognizing the National Day of Silence and a Broward Democratic Executive Committee Resolution calling for a National School Safety and Crime Prevention Strategy by the Department of Education, both projects that I spearheaded as the Council President,” Terrell said.

For more information about the group, visit www.dosomething.org/project/broward-county-council-gay-straight-alliances