Oct 10
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October 26, 2010
Dept of Ed warns schools: Tolerating ethnic, sexual bullying is violation of federal law
Canadian Press Newswire
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Education is warning American schools: Tolerating or failing to adequately address ethnic, sexual or gender-based harassment could put them in violation of federal anti-discrimination laws. After several high-profile cases of bullying, the department is sending letters to schools, colleges and universities across the country on Tuesday, reminding them of their federal obligations. Russlynn Ali, assistant secretary for civil rights, said the department was responding to what it senses as a growing problem within schools. She said the Office for Civil Rights had received 800 complaints alleging harassment over the last fiscal year, and that reports from the field indicate an increase of harassment against certain groups – including gays and lesbians, as well as Muslim students after the 9/11 attacks.
In September, 18-year-old Rutgers University student Tyler Clementi committed suicide after his roommate secretly webcast his dorm-room tryst with a man, police said. The roommate and another student have been charged with invasion of privacy, and authorities are considering whether to add a hate-crime charge. In January, a 15-year-old Massachusetts girl, Phoebe Prince, took her own life after being relentlessly bullied by her classmates, prosecutors said. Six teenagers have been charged.
”Certainly the unspeakable tragedies over the past several weeks contribute to our sense of urgency, and it’s important that the public know there are things schools and universities can and should be doing,” Ali said on Monday.
CitizenLink – October 26, 2010
Indiana Council Says ‘No’ to Special Rights Based on Sexual Orientation
City council members in South Bend, Ind., have defeated – for the fifth time – a so-called nondiscrimination measure that was based on perceived sexual orientation and gender identity. In front of an overflow crowd of concerned citizens, five Democrats and one Republican voted against providing special protections for certain individuals. Twenty-one states and the District of Columbia have passed laws providing special rights based on sexual orientation, while 12 states and D.C. add protections based on gender identity. Federal legislation has also been introduced by Democrats in Congress.