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Loudoun County School Board Debates Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity Anti-Discrimination Policy
Lurid hat tip, Eugene Delgaudio: Pro-Transgender Advocates Attempt To Hijack Loudoun School Board--Will Cost Millions of Tax Dollars
School Board Debates Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity Anti-Discrimination Policy
2016-11-30 Danielle Nadler
dnadler@loudounnow.com
http://twitter.com/danielle_nadler
Loudoun County School Board members argued Tuesday evening over whether to include “sexual orientation and gender identity” among characteristics protected from discrimination. ... The debate was prompted by a proposal from Tom Marshall (Leesburg) to add ancestry to a list of identifications already spelled out in the board’s equal opportunity policy protecting employees and applicants. Those include race, color, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, marital status, age, religion, national origin, disability and genetic information.
That prompted a motion from Vice Chairwoman Brenda Sheridan (Sterling) to add sexual orientation and gender identification to that list. ... “Our schools continue to fail these students,” she said, and pointed out that people who identify as gay and transgender are more often targets for harassment and assault. “Our students are not going to speak up for themselves and neither are staff because they are not protected in any of our policies. … I implore my colleagues to be a champion for our LGBTQ population.”
Jeff Morse (Dulles), Jill Turgeon (Blue Ridge) and Debbie Rose (Algonkian) said tacking on those two characteristics would only encourage the labeling of employees and students. ... “I don’t put labels on anyone … and they should demand freedom from labels,” Morse said. “All they do is divide the students, the teachers and the community.” ... “I think we need to start looking at people holistically,” Turgeon added. “We’re in compliance with law. I have not heard any issues of bullying among employees … and if there are, they should be dealt with severely.”
2016-11-30 Danielle Nadler
dnadler@loudounnow.com
http://twitter.com/danielle_nadler
Loudoun County School Board members argued Tuesday evening over whether to include “sexual orientation and gender identity” among characteristics protected from discrimination. ... The debate was prompted by a proposal from Tom Marshall (Leesburg) to add ancestry to a list of identifications already spelled out in the board’s equal opportunity policy protecting employees and applicants. Those include race, color, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, marital status, age, religion, national origin, disability and genetic information.
That prompted a motion from Vice Chairwoman Brenda Sheridan (Sterling) to add sexual orientation and gender identification to that list. ... “Our schools continue to fail these students,” she said, and pointed out that people who identify as gay and transgender are more often targets for harassment and assault. “Our students are not going to speak up for themselves and neither are staff because they are not protected in any of our policies. … I implore my colleagues to be a champion for our LGBTQ population.”
Jeff Morse (Dulles), Jill Turgeon (Blue Ridge) and Debbie Rose (Algonkian) said tacking on those two characteristics would only encourage the labeling of employees and students. ... “I don’t put labels on anyone … and they should demand freedom from labels,” Morse said. “All they do is divide the students, the teachers and the community.” ... “I think we need to start looking at people holistically,” Turgeon added. “We’re in compliance with law. I have not heard any issues of bullying among employees … and if there are, they should be dealt with severely.”
Loudoun County School Board debates adding LGBTQ protection to employment policies
Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2016 by Hannah Dellinger, Times-Mirror Staff Writer | 17 comments | Email this story
Loudoun County School Board member Brenda Sheridan (Sterling) on Tuesday night made an emotional plea to her colleagues to add protection against discrimination and harassment based on sexual orientation and gender identity to the school system's policies.
The proposed policy amendment turned into a heated debate among board members about whether to go beyond the scope of state and federal law and over the ethics of “putting labels” on groups of teachers and students.
“There is no financial cost to this, but there certainly could be a much higher cost,” said Sheridan. “I implore my colleagues to be a champion for our LGBTQ community.”
Sheridan listed a number of neighboring school systems with policies that include language specifically protecting LGBTQ people against harassment.
Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2016 by Hannah Dellinger, Times-Mirror Staff Writer | 17 comments | Email this story
Loudoun County School Board member Brenda Sheridan (Sterling) on Tuesday night made an emotional plea to her colleagues to add protection against discrimination and harassment based on sexual orientation and gender identity to the school system's policies.
The proposed policy amendment turned into a heated debate among board members about whether to go beyond the scope of state and federal law and over the ethics of “putting labels” on groups of teachers and students.
“There is no financial cost to this, but there certainly could be a much higher cost,” said Sheridan. “I implore my colleagues to be a champion for our LGBTQ community.”
Sheridan listed a number of neighboring school systems with policies that include language specifically protecting LGBTQ people against harassment.