The last few weeks have brought more promising poll numbers for those who favor lesbian, gay and bisexual equality. (These polls haven’t specifically addressed transgender equality.) As always, numbers from the youngest poll respondents are particularly encouraging. Click here or on ‘Read More’ to view the full post.
An article on PsychCentral.com caught my attention this morning. It begins: “Analyzing YouTube video messages from the ‘It Gets Better’ campaign aimed at gay youth, researchers found this group was most comforted by messages that not only supported them but advocated for social change.”
Click here or on ‘Read More’ to view the full post.
The Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index (MEI) offers a treasure trove of data on city and county policies, including policies affecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth and their allies. The report, issued annually, “examines the laws, policies, and services of municipalities and rates them on the basis of their inclusivity of LGBT people.”
The 2013 MEI, released late last month, rates 291 cities and counties from every state. Twenty-five municipalities received a perfect score of 100—though, as explained below, a perfect overall score does not necessarily mean the municipality scored perfectly on youth-related policies.
Click here or on ‘Read More’ to view the full post and to see a table of over 170 cities.
Welcome to the LGBT Youth News Roundup for July 19, 2013!
Here are some of the latest developments:
Law and policy:
• The Washington Blade provides an update on the federal Student Non-Discrimination Act: “House lawmakers spoke out this week in favor of legislation aimed at prohibiting the bullying and harassment of LGBT students as Republican lawmakers refused a vote on such a measure as part of an education reform bill.”
• California Governor Jerry Brown (pictured above) has yet to sign (or veto) a bill that would clarify protections for transgender students.
• Oregon school districts in Salem-Keizer and Lake Oswego have taken steps to conform their anti-bullying policies to the Oregon Safe Schools Act.
• The Montana Board of Regents has voted to broaden the state university system’s anti-discrimination policy to include sexual orientation and gender identity.
• In a heated debate over a non-discrimination policy, an Orleans Parish School Board member claimed there is “no such thing” as the separation of church and state.
