Alabama School Board Protects LGBT Kids

By Neal Broverman

HOWARD BAYLESS X390 (CAMPAIGN SITE) | ADVOCATE.COM

The Birmingham, Ala., board of education made a bold statement on Tuesday by passing an antibullying policy that protects not only LGBT kids from harassment and bullying, but LGBT teachers as well.

Birmingham board member Howard Bayless (pictured) oversaw the monumental decision. He told GayPolitics.com, "This process began over a year ago. 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."

Bayless says he spoke to all the board members and explained how damaging antigay bullying is and how it personally affected him when he was a student in Birmingham's schools.

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Name: Case
Date posted: 11/1/2009 7:40:13 PM
Hometown: Montgomery,AL

Comment:
This is wonderful news. I grew up in Auburn,which was a "liberal" college town,but I still needed to be in the closet. Now kids can be themselves!
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Name: Drew
Date posted: 10/31/2009 7:42:31 PM
Hometown: Austin, TX

Comment:
WOW! Good for Alabama! I grew up in Auburn/Opelika and I now live in Austin, TX. Its amazing to see how the world is changing. AL has a long way to go but this is a huge public step in the right direction. Maybe there's hope for my mother's wish for me to move back to Auburn... Ah, I kill myself!
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Name: Some broad
Date posted: 10/31/2009 6:16:32 PM
Hometown: LA

Comment:
This is great news, especially since those in Alabama have so few rights -- but doesn't that guy look like a news anchor for the local broadcast? haha, anyway, well done, dude! Keep on pushing to protect those kids!
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Name: Franz
Date posted: 10/31/2009 8:13:45 AM
Hometown: Seattle

Comment:
I would also like to congratulate Birmingham. I'm from Opelika and got my BA in Auburn and neither of those cities would ever do this.
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Name: Scott
Date posted: 10/30/2009 10:21:20 PM
Hometown: Jacksonville, FL

Comment:
Alabama?! Don't let the folks at the AFA know about this... They will have to bring out the troops to over turn tthis one!! Go Bama!
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Name: Mike
Date posted: 10/30/2009 3:34:00 PM
Hometown: Chicago

Comment:
CONGRATULATIONS Birmingham board and Howard Bayless! Perhaps there is a ray of hope somewhere!
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Name: Jay
Date posted: 10/30/2009 3:05:26 PM
Hometown: Santa Monica

Comment:
Congratulations! Maybe Alabama is about ready to join the rest of the country. I just hope the school board is strong enough to withstand the assualt on them from "good Christian folk" that is sure to come.

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