GLSEN ACTION ALERT
March 16, 2001 -- Circulate until March 22, 2001

The coming week will be critical in the growing national movement for safe schools for LGBT students and school staff. Urgent action is needed in Texas, New York, Washington and Oregon. To keep up-to-date on actions in these and every other state, visit GLSEN's Online Action Center:
http://www.glsen.org/templates/action/index.html

CONTENTS

1. March and Lobby for Hate Crimes Legislation and Safe Schools in Texas
2. New York's Dignity for All Students Act Before Education Committee
3. House Hearings on Washington's Anti-Bullying Act
4. Lobby for Fair Schools in Oregon
5. About GLSEN/Subscription Information

1. March 18-19:March and Lobby for Hate Crimes Legislation and Safe Schools in Texas
http://www.glsen.org/templates/action/record.html?section=33&record=41&state=45

Texans are urged to show their support for the James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Act (HB 587, SB 87) by marching on the Capitol in Austin on Sunday March 18. Stay an important extra day to lobby your legislators on LGBT-related legislation (including the Non-Discrimination in Education Bill, HB 1296) at Texas Gay Lobby Day Monday March 19th. The march and lobby day are organized by the Lesbian and Gay Rights Lobby of Texas. Visit the link above for more details, contact information for legislators and local organizations, and sample letters.

HB 1296 (Non-Discrimination in Education Bill) will protect Texans from discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in public schools and colleges. GLSEN Chapters in Dallas, Austin and Houston are mobilizing grassroots support for the legislation and bringing a contingent of activists to the march and lobby day.

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2. Tuesday March 20:New York's Dignity for All Students Act Before Education Committee
http://www.glsen.org/templates/action/index.html?section=33&state=34

Residents of New York State are urged to call members of the Assembly Education Committee, and urge them to vote YES on the Dignity for All Students Act. The Education Committee is scheduled to vote on the legislation on Tuesday, March 20. Visit the link above for more details, contact information for legislators and local organizations, and sample letters.

The Dignity For All Students Act is a bill currently pending in the New York State Legislature to create safe, harassment-free school environments for all students, regardless of their actual or perceived race, national origin, ethnic group, religion, gender, gender identity, disability and sexual orientation. The bill number is A2634. Along with the Empire State Pride Agenda, GLSEN co-convenes the Dignity for All Students Coalition, which consists of more than 80 education and civil rights organizations from every part of New York State.

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3. Wednesday March 21:House Hearings on Washington's Anti-Bullying Act
http://www.glsen.org/templates/action/record.html?section=33&record=44&state=49

Residents of Washington State are urged to contact their State Representatives, particularly members of the House Education Committee, and urge them to vote YES on SB 5528. The House Education Committee will be holding hearings on the legislation, which has already passed the State Senate, on Wednesday, March 21. Visit the link above for more details, contact information for legislators and local organizations, and sample letters.

SB 5528, the Anti-Bullying Act, is a bill requiring school districts to adopt policies prohibiting harassment, intimidation, bullying on school grounds and at school activities. The original bill was amended to exclude specifically protecting students who are harassed because of their race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, mental, physical, or sensory handicap. GLSEN calls on legislators to reconsider adding those categories. GLSEN convened a Seattle gathering of activists working on this legislation in November 2000, and has been working closely ever since with leaders and organizations, such as the Safe Schools Coalition and the Fairness Lobby.

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4. Thursday April 19:Lobby for Fair Schools in Oregon
http://www.glsen.org/templates/action/index.html?section=33&state=39

Basic Rights Oregon, the state's LGBT political organization, announced this week plans for a statewide citizen lobby day on Thursday April 19. Citizens from across the state will urge state lawmakers to support Oregon's SB 912. Also known as the Fair Schools Bill, the legislation creates basic protections to ensure safe and fair schools for all Oregon's students. The bill prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation in public education schools, programs, activities and services. Visit the link above for more details, contact information for legislators and local organizations, and sample letters.

In November 2000 Oregonians defeated the so-called "Student Protection Act," an anti-LGBT ballot measure that would have banned honest and age-appropriate discussion of homosexuality and bisexuality in schools. GLSEN partnered with Basic Rights Oregon and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force on a 10-month effort that led to the initiative's defeat.

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5. About GLSEN/Subscription Information

To subscribe to GLSEN's Online Action Network and receive future alerts visit: http://www.glsen.org/templates/common/signup.html.

The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) envisions a future in which every child learns to respect and accept all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. GLSEN is the leading national organization fighting to end anti-gay bias in K-12 schools. GLSEN combats the harassment and discrimination leveled against students and school personnel. GLSEN creates learning environments that affirm the inherent dignity of all students, and, in so doing, teaches them to respect and accept all of their classmates-- regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity/expression. GLSEN believes that the key to ending anti-gay prejudice and hate-motivated violence is education. And it's for this reason that GLSEN brings together students, educators, families and other community members--of any sexual orientation--to reform America's educational system.

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