DAVENPORT BOARD WON'T PROTECT GAYS

The Davenport (IA) School Board refused to add sexual orientation to its list of classes protected from harassment.

Under the proposed policy revisions, sexual orientation would have joined the list that bans discrimination based on gender, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, creed, age, marital status, veteran status and disability.

"The purpose was to let the people we employ and educate know that the Davenport School District is a safe place to learn and to work," said board member Susan Low. "They have a right to dignity. They have a right to feel safe. They have the right to not be afraid in our district."

Board members agreed that all people should be free from harassment and discrimination, but ssome said they could not vote for making sexual orientation a protected class before the city, sate and federal governments do so.

Board member Jim Heter said homosexuality and race should not be lumped into the same protected class.

"The color of a person's skin cannot be hidden. You cannot come out of the closet with that. You cannot use that when it is an advantage and hide it when it is not," he said.

At one point, he said, "I do not want us to become known as the 'gay and lesbian district' across the state."

Hester joined the majority in a 4-3 vote Monday not to protect homosexuals from discrimination.