The Dallas Independent School District in the 1990s enacted a non-discrimination policy which encouraged the discrimination that is now occurring against transgender staff and students.
Dallas social conservatives are taking the next logical step — proposing an anti-bullying policy that, while citing a few general examples of bullying, deliberately excludes the specific forms of bullying that Dallas faculty and students routinely commit against sexual minorities.
Resource Center Dallas responded today with the following press release.
October 13, 2010
Contact: Rafael McDonnell, (214) 528-0144 office
Resource Center Dallas calls on Dallas Independent School District to revise proposed
new anti-bullying policy
Board to discuss policy October 14 at 11:30 a.m.
Dallas—The following statement is from Resource Center Dallas, on Dallas Independent School District (DISD)’s plans to revise
its anti-bullying policy:
“We are pleased that DISD is revisiting its approach to bullying. Unfortunately, the proposed policy does not define which students are to be protected by it. As a result, it does not provide specific protections for LGBT students. It is vital for this board to specifically articulate who this policy is designed to protect, rather than simply stating a broad definition of bullying. Absent any specific protections, it could be inferred that it would be okay to bully students based on their real or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Given the rash of LGBT bullying-related suicides in recent weeks—including one in the greater Houston area—specifically articulated protections are not formalities; they are essential.
“Resource Center Dallas encourages the North Texas LGBT community to contact the nine members of the DISD board. Encourage them to modify the proposed anti-bullying policy to specifically include LGBT students. Board members still have time to improve the protections for the youngest members of our community. Contact information, including phone numbers and e-mail, can be found at http://www.dallasisd.org/about/boardcontact.htm. Additionally, if you are able to attend the DISD board meeting Thursday, October 14 at 11:30 a.m. at 3700 Ross Avenue in Dallas, please do so. A representative of the Center will address the board on these issues.”
