Dallas schools will be safer for gay students, teachers and parents, says a new agreement between the Dallas Independent School District and Lambda Legal.
As part of the new non-discrimination policy, DISD will:
We commend DISD for this new, progressive policy that will create a safer and more comfortable learning environment for all Dallas students. We hope that other North Texas area school districts will follow DISD's example and create similar non-discriminatory policies.
- Include training on LGBT issues as part of the regular diversity trainings for staff.
- Allow LGBT groups such as Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), or Parents and Friends of Lesbian and Gays (PFLAG) to provide in-service trainings for teachers.
- Use LGBT-friendly forms such as permission slips. The forms will refer to “Parent 1” and “Parent 2” instead of or in addition to “Father” and “Mother.”
- Provide and make visible LGBT-friendly materials in libraries. Books, posters and other materials with LGBT themes and topics will no longer be held behind school library counters and individuals will no longer have to ask to view these materials.
- Allow access to websites of LGBT organizations that are currently blocked, such as that of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), and Youth First Texas.
- Make Lambda Legal materials on the rights of LGBTQ youth available at all middle and high school Counseling Offices.
5 comments:
Great! Finally! I have been working within DISD as a straight person to support such diversity and have only been shut down each time. Lets see if DISD really do what they say there are going to do.
The idea sounds great. And I can't knock the people who need this type of school in their lives. But I guess my problem is there are other issues that we are facing today in our schools. Yes, being gay is hard for some people to except. And I know growing up gay as a teenager is hard as well. But if there is just a school just for gay people, then where does that leave the other kids that have problems as well. So are we just going to keep building schools for people because of their race, color, or sexually orientation? Isn’t that against the constitution? We can't run from theses bullies. I guess what I am wonder is why single us out?
The idea sounds great. And I can't knock the people who need this type of school in their lives. But I guess my problem is there are other issues that we are facing today in our schools. Yes, being gay is hard for some people to except. And I know growing up gay as a teenager is hard as well. But if there is just a school just for gay people, then where does that leave the other kids that have problems as well. So are we just going to keep building schools for people because of their race, color, or sexually orientation? Isn’t that against the constitution? We can't run from theses bullies. I guess what I am wonder is why single us out?
Julie from Park Forest,Il.
I don't agree with this at all. This is not something you want to promote because it's wrong. That is a sexual preference, I don't care how you swing it... and a choice made by a individual to live that type of lifestyle. Furthermore, for the school system to dedicate a school just for these children who decide to live this sort of lifestyle is wrong. You are sending the wrong message.
Chy- there are no "separate" schools created with these reforms. They are only making Dallas public schools more comfortable for gay students, teachers, and parents.
Julie- being gay is not a choice, and DISD is sending a GREAT message to its students: it's okay to be who you are.
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