Three LAUSD board members have placed an item on next Tuesday's agenda (PDF - a slow download) that asks the board to vote to oppose Proposition 8, the measure on the state's November ballot that would ban gay marriage in California.
Board President Monica García (District 2), Marlene Canter (District 4, which includes Westchester) and Yolie Flores Aguilar (District 5) are backing the resolution, which is essentially symbolic.
Here's the text:
Whereas, As a caring educational institution, the Los Angeles Unified School District models, advocates and promotes the safe and respectful treatment of all our members, which includes equal rights for all students and their families;
Whereas, The prevalence of bullying and harassment among students constitutes a national crisis;
Whereas, Harassment based on sexual orientation or gender expression is the second most common form of harassment in schools;
Whereas, In 2007 alone, 120 hate crimes and 364 hate incidents were attributed to sexual orientation or gender identity bias;
Whereas, 37% of perpetrators of hate crimes were under the age of 18;
Whereas, No one should ever be the target of harassment or violence;
Whereas, Over 22% of our students' families include lesbian, gay, and bisexual members who deserve the same rights to marry as their heterosexual counterparts;
Whereas, The District must strive to ensure that District's schools are consistently safe and affirming spaces for all students and their families;
Whereas, The Office of Human Relations, Diversity and Equity is a resource for activities,
lessons and service-learning projects including support for students and parents who identify as Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning (GLBTQ);
Whereas, By opposing Proposition 8, the District supports expanding policies and practices that honor and respect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students and their families;
Whereas, By opposing Proposition 8 the District reaffirms its commitment to the 1988 Board of Education's Resolution for the Respectful Treatment of All Persons; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Governing Board of the Los Angeles Unified School District opposes
Proposition 8, which is on the November state ballot, and directs the Superintendent and all District staff to communicate its opposition to this state ballot initiative.
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