Students - Know Your Rights!

This is for all American public school students who are Queer or allied. This is a small write up about your rights provided by the ACLU - Get Busy, Get Equal!

"If you experience any problems at school, first talk to your principal or another official. If nothing happens it's time to take action.

HARASSMENT:
If you are being harassed, or witness harassment, report it to the principal, a counselor, or another official immediately, and keep notes with dates and descriptions of all incidents and when you reported them. Being silent may seem easier but it will not end the abuse, and you have the right to be yourself and safe.

PRIVACY:
Teachers and school officials do NOT have the right to "out" you to anyone without your permission or use your sexual orientation to manipulate you in any way.

FREEDOM OF SPEECH:
Sometimes schools try to silence students who are open about their sexual orientation. If you go to a public school you have a constitutional right to be out of the closet and express your opinions.

GAY-STRAIGHT ALLIANCES:
Gay-Straight Alliances (GSA's) are non-curricular student clubs, just like Chess clubs or Key Clubs, that allow students with a common interest to get together and have discussions and activities. The law says public schools must allow GSA's if other student clubs exist.

*For info on starting or being part of a GSA go to GLSEN or call 212-727-0135

PROM:
Public schools cannot stop you from bringing a same-sex date to prom. Federal law protects this as freedom of expression, and you cannot be barred from prom because of your date's gender."

If you are encountering difficulty, the ACLU can provide free assistance... Do not hesitate to contact them with questions about your rights or to ask for legal assistance.

getequal@aclu.org
Phone: 212-549-2627

Mapping Gender Neutral/Unisex Restrooms

Transgender, Genderqueer, and Intersexual folks often face difficult decisions when it comes to something as simple as going to the restroom. They face the reality of being attacked, discriminated against, arrested, or feeling very uncomfortable when choosing a bathroom that is specified for a specific gender.

Now, thanks to the Safe2Pee Resource, gender variant people can find gender neutral/unisex bathrooms around the world. You can also add any bathrooms to the database that would be suitable.

"The goal of the project is to create a resource where people who do not feel comfortable with traditional public restrooms can find safe alternatives, and to support advocacy and research to further the cause of gender free, inclusive bathrooms."

Support the Safe Schools Improvement Act

A new action alert has come out from the The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force:

"Across the country, communities are mourning the brutal murder of 15-year-old Lawrence King of California, who classmates say was killed because of his sexual orientation and gender expression. This tragic event reminds us of the importance of creating safe learning environments. We call on schools to honor King’s memory by using this as an opportunity to address violence and harassment directed at lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students. Further, we call on Congress to enact strong anti-harassment and anti-bullying legislation.

U.S. Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.) has introduced the Safe Schools Improvement Act (H. R. 3132), which would promote bullying prevention efforts in schools across America. H. R. 3132 is vital to protecting America’s students in schools, but the bill needs more cosponsors in the House.

The Senate has included similar language to address bullying and harassment in the draft of No Child Left Behind reauthorization, sponsored by Sens. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) and Mike Enzi (R-Wyo). Senators, especially those on the Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee, should support maintaining the language that will strengthen state and local efforts to prevent bullying and harassment through the Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities Act.

Contact your members of Congress today and urge support for strong anti-bullying legislation."

Click Here to contact your representative

Click Here to contact your Senators

Open Forum: That's So Straight!?

Well all grew up hearing the famous phrase "sticks and stones can break my bones, but words will never hurt me". It probably didn't take long to realize that this line is the furthest thing from the truth.

"75.4% of students heard derogatory remarks such as "faggot" or "dyke" frequently or often at school, and nearly nine out of ten (89.2%) reported hearing "that's so gay" or "you're so gay" - meaning stupid or worthless- frequently or often." (GLSEN)

The National School Climate Survey found that LGBT students are more likely to by physically harassed, skip class, drop out, and have a lower GPA due to assault.

Words are hurtful and many times abuse begins verbally and eventually leads to physical violence. As Queer activists & Allies it is important to stand up, many times people utter these words without thinking twice about what their connotation is and whom they might be offending.

So I pose the question, what if anything do you do to combat hateful words? Do you say something, and if so how do you handle it and what has the outcome been?

Cayman Islands Police Enforce Antiquated "Gay Affection Law"

UPDATE: According to Towerload:

"Cayman Islands Director of Tourism Pilar Bush sent a letter of apology to Aaron Chandler, the 23-year-old Massachusetts man who was arrested last Thursday in the Caymans after kissing his partner on a dance floor while vacationing there.

Said Bush in the letter, which Chandler received on Friday: "On behalf of the entire Department of Tourism, I apologise for your upsetting experience and want to assure you that the Cayman Islands is a welcoming jurisdiction to all people. What happened to you was an isolated incident, and is not representative of Cayman. We know that thousands of gay and lesbian visitors travel to the Cayman Islands every year and enjoy their vacation."

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According to: Queerty:

"Homophobia’s got a way of lasting the test of time. Massachusetts-based gay activist Aaron Chandler certainly learned that lesson this week.

The 23-year old wrote in from the Grand Cayman Islands, where he and some friends are currently on vacation. Chandler explained that he, his boyfriend and some gal pals went out for a night of dancing when a police officer broke up their party to reprimand Chandler for “showing public affection” with his boyfriend.

The men originally blew the copper off, but learned a lesson when, after they kissed again, the copper called for backup.

There are two problems here, one more severe than the other. First, the fact that sexual policing remains on the books in this British territory confounds, but doesn’t surprise. Gibraltar, another British overseas territory, maintains discriminatory age of consent laws. Former protectorates such as the islands - and other sovereign lands - cling to Britain’s antiquated anti-gay laws."

Feel free to voice your concern to the Cayman Islands tourism website, Gay travel enthusiasts may think twice about traveling to a country where affection can get you arrested.

Contact Cayman Islands Tourism Board

U.K. Campaign Against Homophobic Bullying

The Liberal Democrats have launched a campaign to end homophobic bullying in schools across the U.K.

The call is for the following to support and protect the victims of homophobic bullying:

1. Homophobic taunts and name calling in schools should be challenged immediately by staff.

2. All schools' anti-bullying policies should be required to include measures specifically to deal with homophobic bullying.

3. At least one teacher in every school should undergo training which includes how to tackle homophobic bullying.

Please sign the petition which will be sent to the House of Commons and Lords as part on ongoing work to amend the current Education and Inspections Bill to tackle this problem

http://www.libdems.org.uk/campaigns/stop-homophobic-bullying.html