Ruby-Sachs: Citizens United puts LGBT rights at risk

Ruby-Sachs: Citizens United puts LGBT rights at risk

Ruby-Sachs: Hawaii May Get Civil Unions

It’s a Tuesday after a holiday, which always makes me feel a bit out of the news world. Couple that with the awesome nature of the Haitian tragedy, and it’s hard to think of much else. But, today is an important day in many respects for LGBT voters.

First, and I …

Ruby-Sachs: Gay Malawi Couple Arrested for Having Engagement Party

Sometimes when we are navigating the complicated social and legal mine fields in the United States, we forget the freedoms we have. Trudging from one awkward family interaction, all those parties for LGBT people with no family to go home to, long conversations about finding a nice [insert opposite sex …

Ruby-Sachs: Justice Department Will Pursue LGBT Discrimination Claims

The head of the Civil Rights Department of the Justice Department announced today that he is making the pursuit of claims by LGBT Americans a priority for his office. Specifically, Tom Perez said,

“We must fight for fairness and basic equality for our LGBT brothers and sisters who so frequently are …

Ruby-Sachs: Chicago Mayor to Appoint a Homophobe

Chicago Mayor Richard Daley

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Chicago Mayor Daley, part of the Daley dynasty that has ruled Chicago on and off for fifty years, has had a hard year. First, his state came under fire for widespread corruption, then his likelycorrupt parking meter privatization scheme caused outrage amongst Chicago residents and now …

Ruby-Sachs: Chicago Mayor to Appoint a Homophobe

Chicago Mayor Richard Daley

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Alameda school board adopts plan to halt anti-gay bullying

School district leaders have approved lesson plans for kindergartners through fifth graders that aim to curb anti-gay bullying.

Trustees voted 3-2 on Tuesday to adopt the Safe Schools curriculum, which supporters say will help children of gay parents feel welcome at school and help end anti-gay teasing and bullying on the playground.

The lessons also aim to provide a safe environment for children to learn, as well as to offer a framework for teachers to break down stereotypes and teach kids about different types of families.

“The need for this is real,” said Beth Kromer, a fourth-grade teacher at Ruby Bridges Elementary School.

Brian Harris, a 16-year-old student at the Alameda Community Learning Center, told trustees that he has been called anti-gay epithets on campus.

“I have been harassed by other students in the classroom and I have even begun to consider just stopping and giving up on life,” Harris said.

Opponents of the curriculum said it would undercut parents’ rights to teach their children about relationships and sexual orientation, and that it pushed a political agenda without addressing ways to help other groups who may be singled out at school.

Trustee Trish Spencer, who voted no, said she was concerned that lessons about other vulnerable students were not on the table.

See Alameda school board adopts plan to halt anti-gay bullying San Jose Mercury News