The Birmingham, Alabama Board of Education member Howard Bayless has written to Gay Politics of some good news — the Board has passed an anti-bullying policy inclusive of sexual orientation, and gender identity and expression. Bayless writes:
. . . Being the first openly gay man elected in the state and the first openly gay school board member anywhere in Alabama, I knew I wanted our system to be more inclusive and welcoming to ALL of our students, but I also knew this would have to be a process that involved my eight fellow board members . . . I told them my own story of growing up in Birmingham City Schools and being harassed and bullied–and how I carried that pain with me still today. I also helped them to understand how that impacted me and my education.
. . . I believe these conversations provided the opportunity for all the board members to see the importance of an inclusive anti-bullying policy and to know why they needed to support this policy. None of this would have ever occurred had we not had a voice at the table. It is so critical and so important that we continue to help openly LGBT people elected to public office so we can effect the change that we want and need, especially in places like Alabama. I hope you’ll share this with the staff and your supporters.
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