Okla City Schools Amend Bullying Policy

In a 5-2 vote, the Oklahoma City school board Monday approved a policy against bullying based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

Inspired by the passage of the federal Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act in October, board member Phil Horning (pictured) adamantly supported adding those traits to the school district's antibullying policy.

"You cannot live in central Oklahoma and not admit that there is a tendency to discriminate against gay and lesbian individuals," said Horning, reports NewsOk. "You'd have to have your head in the sand not to admit it... I'll die before I vote no."

Opposition to the move came from board members Lyn Watson and Steve Shafer.

"What do we do with other groups that don't fit into these classifications? Are we going to create a database and continue to expand this policy?" Watson said, according to NewsOk.