Today marks the first ever Gay-Straight Alliance Day, as
noted on the White House and Department of Education’s
(“DOE”) blogs.
In recognition of this day, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan has
recorded a video message to students, teachers and allies affirming the
President’s commitment to safe schools for all students.
Both the federal government and California continue to
emphasize the need to combat discrimination, harassment, intimidation and
bullying at our schools. In June 2011,
the DOE issued a Dear Colleague Letter addressing the problem of
harassment and bullying of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (“LGBT”)
students and encouraging gay-straight alliances at schools. California recently required school districts
to expand their anti-harassment policies to include anti bullying. Under AB 9, these policies must prohibit
discrimination, harassment, intimidation and bullying based on the actual or perceived
characteristics set forth in Education Code section 220, which include
disability, gender, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, and sexual
orientation.
Below is a transcript of Secretary Duncan’s video
message:
On the first-ever National Gay-Straight Alliance Day, I
want to say thank you to all of the student leaders and faculty advisors who are
doing the courageous work of making campuses safe places that are free of
bullying and harassment.
Harassment and bullying are serious problems at schools
and colleges, especially for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students.
We have to dispel the myth that bullying is just a normal rite of passage, or an
inevitable part of growing up.
President Obama and I believe that we have a collective
obligation to ensure that all our schools are safe for all children. Every
single student deserves the opportunity to learn and grow and achieve their
potential, without having to worry about the threat of
harassment.
When students are harassed or bullied, it directly
affects their work in the classroom, their aspirations for the future, and their
desire to stay in school.
Gay-Straight Alliances and similar student groups play an important role in creating welcoming, affirming, and respectful schools and colleges – safe places where learning can happen and students flourish.
Gay-Straight Alliances and similar student groups play an important role in creating welcoming, affirming, and respectful schools and colleges – safe places where learning can happen and students flourish.
This work is absolutely
essential.
GSAs are a proven tool for creating welcoming school
climates and helping students stay in
school.
Our team at the Department of Education is committed to
giving school districts guidance on providing all students, including LGBT,
gender nonconforming students, and their allies, a safe place to learn, meet,
share experiences, and discuss matters that are important to them. These are
goals that our Administration takes very
seriously.
This day is an opportunity to recognize the importance of
Gay-Straight Alliances in schools across America. On
behalf of President Obama, I want to thank you for your hard work, your
leadership, and your courage. Your work makes a difference – so keep it
up.
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