More schools take action to stem anti-gay bullying | Latest National Headlines | News fr...

The awareness of bullying in schools, the passing of Same-sex marriage in New York, and the spate of "It Gets Better" video's from celebrities and other people have slowly begun to raise awareness about bullying and teen suicide. California recently passed legislation that ordered teaching to be incorporated into the classroom about LGBTQ contributions and the history of same. Even more in the news was the recent passing of DADT, allowing gays in the military to come out of the closet without fear of being thrown out of the service.

Although we have a long way to go, the California legislation is having an effect on school bullying and also intervening legally in cases where guidelines have not been followed.  For example, instead of a teacher simply telling kids to quit using a disrespectful name, stopping taunts is more effective when the teacher explains why teasing hurts and getting bullies to recall instances when they were taunted or acknowledge that they would feel hurt if they were, experts said.

"It's about making them realize what it's like," said Travis Brown, an anti-bullying speaker now on a 200-school tour.

Students must be told to intervene if they witness bullying and to accept others' differences even if they don't agree with them. That goes for teachers, too. It is illegal, for instance, to order a boy to wash off makeup if girls are also allowed to wear it.


There remains a long, slow haul to spread informative and educational programs across the country's schools, but with the help of the ACLU and other legal eagles watching over the growing movement, it will happen and we might, just might, see the near end of bullying as we know it now.

Now if we could get politicians to end bullying among their ranks and setting a poor example for the bullies of today.

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School anti-gay bullying law passed in California - PinkPaper.com

California-->progressive, behind the times, all over the place! California, finally a safer place for bullied students protected by a new law, is once again placing itself

ahead of the rest of the country having passed legislation titled ‘Seth’s law’, after Seth Walsh, a 13-year-old boy from California who committed suicide in 2010 following anti-gay bullying.

The new and legislation was passed by the state Senate on Friday. The bill, which was passed by 24 votes to 14, will require schools to address incidents of homophobic bullying and will help to equip teachers with the skills and knowledge to tackle cases of abuse relating to sexual orientation.

Prosecutor: Teen plotted Larry King's death | from 365gay.com

I've been closely following this case due to it's high profile in California, and also because of the perception that it will, most likely, set several precedents when it comes to hate crimes against gays in several ways. Thursday the prosecution has finally pointed out the obvious reason that Brandon McIlverney should be found guilty of manslaughter and hate crimes in this case.

 From testimony of a psychologist who interviewed McIlverney, it has come out that he had intentions of murdering King  (in 2008) up to four (4) days previous to the actual murder. The real issue in this case is not that he murdered King, but that it was premeditated and also a hate crime. Nazi drawings were found in his room and he holds some White Supremacy views from his upbringing. Regardless of his upbringing though, he acted upon only one statement made to him, according to two witness. That was a statement made in passing by King in the hallway apparently days before the shooting.

This obviously is a hate crime that was committed, but how the jury will feel is most likely another story. The reason I think that this has broad implications concerns not only the murder and hate crime committed, but also how the jury will make McIlverney answer for the murder. If they find him guilty of only Involuntary Manslaughter, then it might stir up more anti-gay sentiments in school settings and set the precedent for school administrators to continue their lackadaisical attitude towards gay related bullying and hate crimes in the school setting.

Something has to change in our schools when it comes to administrators and teachers looking the other way when it comes to bullying and anti-gay acts and hopefully, this will become the impetus for that change.

It's Time That California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger "Won't Be Back"

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed three gay-friendly bills between 24 and 30 September, according to the Pink Paper Magazine.

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed three gay-friendly bills between Sept. 24 and 30 September. PinkPaper.com can report.

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Prisoner Safety Act was designed to prevent violence in the state prison system by requiring the state to adopt national LGBT prisoner safety guidelines.
"Transgender people are 13 times more likely to be sexually assaulted in prison than non-transgender inmates," said Masen Davis, executive director of the Transgender Law Center. "The National Prisoner Rape Elimination Commission Standards are well-researched, practical and promising. It is shameful that implementation of these standards has been further delayed."

The bill also would have required the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation not to automatically segregate LGBT inmates and would have protected LGBT inmates from having to disclose their sexual orientation or gender identify to prison officials.

Schwarzenegger's veto message said: "This bill would require the sexual orientation and gender identity of an inmate or ward, among other risk factors, to be considered as part of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation's inmate and ward classification and housing assignment procedures. ... This measure is unnecessary because CDCR already considers these factors when determining where to house inmates."   More...