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 Md. Gov. Signs Inclusive Bully Law
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
Posted: May 14, 2008 - 1:00 pm ET
(Annapolis, Maryland) Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley
has signed into law one of the nation's most sweeping laws against bullying,
aimed at protecting all students, including those who are LGBT.
The new law requires state and county school
boards to develop policies that ban bullying. It mandates counseling to offered
to both the victim and the bully. And it extends not only to school property but
also electronic devices, including cell phones, computers or pagers.
The law makes Maryland just the 11th state to protect students from
bullying and harassment based on sexual orientation and only the seventh to
protect students on the basis of gender identity or expression.
"This
is a historic day for Maryland students,” said Kevin
Jennings, the Executive Director of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education
Network.
"Feeling safe in school is directly related to academic achievement and student
success. This law is an important step in reducing bullying, improving school
climate and making school better for all Maryland students.”
A GLSEN survey released in 2005 found that
bullying and verbal harassment is a national problem across the country.
The National School Climate Survey found that
three-quarters of students surveyed across America said that over the past year
they heard derogatory remarks such as "faggot" or "dyke"
frequently or often at school, and nearly nine out of ten reported hearing
"that's so gay" or "you're so gay" - meaning stupid or
worthless - frequently or often.
Over a third of students said they experienced
physical harassment at school on the basis of sexual orientation and more than a
quarter on the basis of their gender expression.
Nearly one-in-five students reported they had
been physically assaulted because of their sexual orientation and over a tenth
because of their gender expression.
Passage of the Maryland law was the culmination
of several years work by both GLSEN and Equality Maryland to build bipartisan
support.
"It’s crucial that Maryland take bolder
steps to address bullying, harassment and intimidation of our students, and this
is a good step in making sure schools in no way gloss over the harassment,
threats and violence directed specifically at LGBT and questioning youth,"
said Dan Furmansky, Executive
Director of Equality Maryland.
Besides
Maryland, the 10 other states to include protection for sexual orientation in a
safe schools law are California, Connecticut, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts,
Minnesota, New Jersey, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin. Only California, Iowa,
Maine, Minnesota, New Jersey and Vermont also include gender expression.
©365Gay.com 2008
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