Dubuque school board expands policies to cover gays (5987)

The Dubuque, Iowa, school board voted 6-1 Monday to add sexual orientation to the list of categories covered by its nondiscrimination and antiharassment policies, the Dubuque Telegraph Herald reports. "We're not going to change the world because we set a policy," board member Donna Bauerly said. "What we can do is set the climate and atmosphere." Of the 17 people who testified before the vote, 13 favored the policy change and four opposed it. George Beaves, a former school board member, said adding sexual orientation to the policy leads the district down a "slippery slope" toward teaching behaviors that are not "normal or natural."

Meanwhile, the Cedar Falls, Iowa, city council voted 6-1 Monday against expanding the city's nondiscrimination ordinance to cover gays and lesbians. "I find it amazing that in the year 2001, fear-based opposition that says certain people should have to live lesser lives is still occurring," said councilwoman Elaine Pfalzgraf, who cast the lone vote in favor of the measure. Councilman Mike Havenstrite said, "I just personally don't feel that we need more rules and laws. We have adequate protection now."