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Released by Equality Florida Tallahassee, Florida Dear Friends,
Most important have been the powerful voices of the students who attended Youth Lobby Day and espceially those who met with Trovillion. Their leadership, courage and determination have led Rep. Gottlieb and Sen Campbell to announce they will sponsor a Dignity for All Students Act next legislative session. These comments were made at a joint press conference at noon today, April 19, in Tallahassee. To all the individuals and organizations who have taken action: Your calls, your letters, your press releases, and your spirit for justice have helped our state take an important step forward towards protecting and honoring all Florida students. Our press advisory follows. The Equality Florida Crew Remarks of Representative Kenneth Gottlieb Regarding Introduction of Dignity for All Students Act Thursday, April 19, 2001 Good afternoon. Thank you for coming today to address this important issue. Today Senator Campbell and I are pleased to announce our plans to introduce the Dignity for All Students Act into our respective houses of the state legislature next year. By passing such legislation, Florida will do what 10 other states have already done. Pass legislation to help reduce the problems of unchallenged harassment and increased violence in our schools directed towards those in the sexual minority--those who are or perceived to be gay, lesbian, or bisexual, or students whose gender or expression identity do not conform to the expectations of others. Statistics show that these people face huge challenges with regard to going to school. 93% of students report hearing anti gay slurs occasionally from teachers. Studies have shown the same conclusion time after time: Students who are or perceived to be in the sexual minority are victims of severe and widespread discrimination and harassment in our public schools. The results are tragically high suicide rates and higher drop out rates for these individuals. Most alarmingly, one third of the youth surveyed report that no one, not even teachers or administrators, intervene in these circumstances. This represents a dangerous and prevailing attitude that harassment against gays is acceptable and in some cases condoned.
Being from south Florida, I have been very fortunate to be able to be surrounded by great diversity on a daily basis. That is also specifically the case with regard to working with and knowing gay people. So I am supportive in every way. But even if you are not, this is an issue we can all agree on. Regardless of what anyone thinks of other gay issues relating to partnership, the workplace and health issues, we can save those debates for another day, and another bill. This bill will simply ask, and mandate, that we be tolerant of all of our youngest citizens, and give them to go to school without the fear of violence, and harassment from those around them. Here at the Capitol today, and across Florida, it is Stop Violence Day. The focus has been on ending school violence. Kids were asked statewide at 10:15 this morning to take a pledge to end school violence. It's a great message. We need to make sure that those in the sexual minority are not left behind with regard to that message. Over the next year, I intend to reach out to Republicans and Democrats alike to urge their support of this bill. One of those ten states that have enacted similar laws to this, is Massachusetts. Former Governor Bill Weld signed the bill into law. He's a Republican. This is not an issue of party. This is an issue of inclusion and safety--and Dignity-Dignity for All Students. Thank you very much. April 10, 2001 Students Appeal for Safe Schools Prompt Action Equality Florida Applauds Announcement of Florida Dignity for All Students Act Tallahassee--With national attention focused on the escalating harassment and violence occurring on school campuses, students, parents, educators and youth advocates are applauding today's announcement that a Dignity for All Students bill will be introduced in the Florida legislature.
Their press conference comes just a week after Equality Florida's Youth Lobby Day. Organized by youth, the event drew 80 young people, primarily students, from across the state to Tallahassee to urge the introduction of such a measure. The timing of the announcement sends a clear message that the voices of Florida's youth have been heard. "Schools aren't safe for LGBT youth," said Chris Vasquez, a senior at Edgewater High School who attended the Youth Lobby Day. "We went to Tallahassee to share our stories and spread that message. I am very happy that legislators have shown a commitment to Florida's youth and taken action." On Thursday, legislators did respond by announcing the sponsorship of the Florida Dignity For All Students Act. The bill would establish legal protection from bias-based harassment and violence for all students, as well as provide training and education to teachers and administrators in order to help them properly address the problem on school campuses. A third component of the act would provide statewide data collection and documentation of the climate in Florida schools, so problem areas and incidents could be well documented. National studies reveal that nearly seventy percent of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students report verbal, sexual or physical harassment and the average high school student hears anti-gay slurs 25 times a day. By passing the safe schools bill, the legislature can make schools harassment free zones. "This is an important step," said Rachyl Carey, a transgender student who was withdrawn from a Pinellas County high school because her mother feared for her safety. "All students need protection. All students deserve to be safe at school." |
Florida State Rep. Allen Trovillion: Sparking outrage from the gay community and other legislators 
Florida State Rep. Kenneth Gottleib 