Gay-bashing unabated nationwide

From 365gay.com today:

12:00 pm ET (Washington)

As students across the country button their lips today marking the 10th annual National Day of Silence to draw awareness to homophobia in classrooms a new study shows that gay-bashing remains a major problem in the nation's schools.

Three-quarters of students surveyed across America said that over the past year they heard derogatory remarks such as "faggot" or "dyke" frequently or often at school, and nearly nine out of ten reported hearing "that's so gay" or "you're so gay" - meaning stupid or worthless - frequently or often.

Over a third of students said they experienced physical harassment at school on the basis of sexual orientation and more than a quarter on the basis of their gender expression.

Nearly one-in-five students reported they had been physically assaulted because of their sexual orientation and over a tenth because of their gender expression.

The National School Climate Survey was released in Washington by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network.

More . . .

• Gay-bashing unabated
• GLSEN's National School Climate Survey

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Update from Equality Florida and The Miami Herald:

In the Florida House of Representatives today, A controversial anti-bullying bill has been changed to appease opponents who want school districts to include protections for gay students. [....]

Gottlieb has tried for years to pass an anti-bullying bill that banned harassment based on sexual orientation, religion, race, ethnicity and other factors frequently targeted by bullies. His efforts were struck down by lawmakers hesitant to pass a bill with gay-rights protections.

Bogdanoff's amended bill does not suggest which categories to list, but it allows districts to include categories if they want. [....]

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So... at least the Republican legislature MAY BE heading in the direction of ALLOWING districts to include gays and lesbians as human beings with a right to life, liberty, and safety. They just aren't ready to embrace the concept of full equality themselves.

The bill is called the Jeffrey Johnston Stand Up for All Students Act, named after a Cape Coral teen who hanged himself last June after enduring years of bullying.