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Local District Stands Up to Religious Right, Approves Safe Schools Bill

Just two days after the state Assembly rejected a bill to protect gay students statewide against discrimination, a school district in El Cajon, Calif., voted to offer such protection to its students.

Despite protests, the Grossmont Union School District voted June 3 to amend its anti-discrimination policy to include students and teachers who are gay or who are perceived to be gay.

The 3-2 vote came despite a protest orchestrated by the Religious Right in which thousands of students boycotted classes and parents called for the resignation of the school board's president.

"This is about legitimizing homosexuality, bisexuality, etc., in an attempt to bring it into the curriculum," said board member Gary Cass, who voted against the policy change.

But parent Pamela Highfill said it was obvious the inclusive language was necessary because gay students felt unprotected under the current policy. The board voted to add the words "actual or perceived sexual orientation" to the district's anti-discrimination and multicultural policies, which already include protections based on race, religion, gender and disability.