The Los Angeles School District makes history this week as it unanimously passed the LGBT and Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Anti-Bullying Resolution Act, born from SB 48 – the FAIR Education Act – which passed in July.
The bill, sponsored by Steve Zimmer who represents the LAUSD 4th district, will ensure children and teens who identify with the LGBT community protection from harassment and discrimination. And in addition to civil protection, the act will also aim to induct an LGBT-inclusive school curriculum within the district’s educational plan.
“As a teacher, I know how important it is for students and families to be included and recognized in school,” Zimmer said. “We’ve seen the cost of invisibility and rejection. Last year there was a spate of suicides across the country attributed to anti-gay bullying. We want our youth to feel that school is a protective factor, not a risk factor,” he said. “And we won’t rest until all students are safe.”
The resolution will aim to provide sensitivity training for school staff, as well as training to intervene when school officials hear other students use discriminatory language or anti-gay slurs.
Under the resolution, all schools within the LAUSD will incorporate the following mandates into classrooms within a 3 month period, LA Weekly reports.
Promote positive images of LGBT individuals.
Make available age-appropriate LGBT inclusive curriculum for elementary and secondary schools.
Require that newly adopted social studies materials include positive representations of LGBT and persons with disabilities.
Include LGBT sensitivity in outreach, education, and training for students, parents, and staff.
Remind staff of their duty to ensure that all students are safe and affirmed on campus, and to proactively intervene with acts of bias, harassment or bullying that they see, including, but not limited to LGBT-biased language and bullying.
Implement for all staff a training specifying legal responsibilities, effective practices, and concerns unique to LGBT individuals, similar to the district’s child abuse module.
