The demise of an anti-bullying bill that spelled out protections in schools based in part on sexual orientation has caused a rift among some state Democrats. Dubbed the “Safe Schools Bill,” the legislation by state Rep. Austin Badon, D-New Orleans, was stripped by the full House Thursday of language specific to sexual orientation when it approved an amendment by Amite Democratic Rep. John Bel Edwards. Following impassioned floor debate pitting social conservatives against progressives, the House then shot down the bill, despite the absence of the controversial language.
But it was the fact that several Dems voted for the Edwards amendment, which supporters of the bill decried as an attack on the main purpose of the legislation — to protect gay, lesbian and transgender students from harassment — that raised some hackles within the party.
Political activist Stephen Handwerk of Lafayette, co-chair of the National Stonewall Democrats — a gay-rights wing of the party that is a counterpoint to the Log Cabin Republicans — unloaded on his Facebook page just moments after the final roll call, singling out a handful of Dems who voted for the Edwards amendment: “Louisiana Legislators just declared open season on gay & disabled children... shame on you Karen St Germain and John Bel Edwards, Rickey Hardy, Regina Barrow who voted to exclude protections for the most vulnerable children in our state... See you on Election day in October! How many kids must commit suicide before you act? 50? 100? 1,000? Just let us know,” Handwerk fumed in a status update.
Several of Handwerk’s Facebook compatriots piped in with similar invective. Then state Rep. Karen St. Germain jumped into the fray: “ I did no such thing,” St. Germain commented. “I felt it would pass easier if we did this. So don’t label me because u never even heard my testimony. I am for the bill went to the mike on it. So if u are gonna talk about me talk to me first!!!!”
Handwerk quickly responded: “NO Karen, you stripped out the verbiage that would have protected the very kids that this bill was aimed at protecting - Kids are being pulled from school by their parents because teachers and administrators are telling them they should “NOT” be so “GAY” or “Try harder in school” so not to be called a “FAG” or a “RETARD” - and those are the kids who talk to their parents... others - as in a 12 year old boy here in lafayette HUNG HIMSELF so he wouldn’t have to face the bullies anymore because the BIAS that exists...” Handwerk added in a follow-up post that he had heard St. Germain’s testimony, telling the solon her votes “stand on their own.”
After another exchange, St. Germain signed off: “I will agree to disagree,” she wrote. “U are wrong on John Bel and my motives. Absolutely wrong. I voted for the bill everytime I thought it was a good idea! For the kids. If u would like to speak in person then I will be there.”
Handwerk also posted a critical comment on the Facebook page of state Rep. Regina Barrow, D-Baton Rouge, to which Barrow simply responded: “God knows my heart.”
Bad actions, for even the best of reasons, are still bad actions.
... written by radiohatch , May 20, 2011 - 04:39 pm
I can't say what was in anyone's heart, I can only judge a person's actions. In this regard many who think themselves caring, compassionate, decent people utterly failed. I can't imagine how the awful message they have sent to the children of this state, especially the most vulnerable, will be received. But I can imagine how the message is being received in 'Christian' households across Louisiana: Bully away, we got your back! Thank you, spineless Dems.
... written by Woolly Bully , May 20, 2011 - 05:41 pm
Stephen Handwerk "unloaded on his Facebook page" -----------------
I was going to unload on his Facebook page too but that is a crime against nature.
... written by Concerned person , May 20, 2011 - 06:15 pm
it seems that hardly a day goes by that we don't read about some gay/lesbian issue and what rights they should have. I'm concerned about them, but I'm more concerned about the other kids, those who are not gay or lesbian. I wish we would pay as much attention to the rights of the straight kids as we do the gays. Kinda sick of it.
... written by Tomahawk , May 20, 2011 - 07:06 pm
My son is NOT gay, but he was bullied for other reasons late last year, both at school and on Facebook (cyberbullying) by the same boys from school.
I reported these incidents, even gave school administrators a copy of the Facebook postings (over 80 of them!), and the administrators did NOTHING to the bullies.
NOTHING.
My son ended up in a mental health facility last month because of all this, threatening to commit suicide.
So if nothing can or will be done by schools about the bullying of a straight kid, what are they going to do about a gay kid?
... written by Morrow , May 20, 2011 - 07:24 pm
Dear Concerned: I too am concerned. Are you saying its okay and acceptable to be bullied if you are gay? Are you aware of the amount of bullying that staight kids are subjected to? Or fat kids, or slow kids, or disabled kids? This legislation would protect ALL kids. I don't want you to think it was just directed toward gay kids. Very few kids are willing to admit they are gay. We're talking kids here. I happen to think its never okay to bully anyone, esp not kids. And not even if you are toting a Bible. My Bible says "Love one another"...
... written by Woolly Bully , May 20, 2011 - 08:28 pm
If an atheist student calls a religious student a name, do we need a law?
... written by Morrow , May 20, 2011 - 09:09 pm
Depends on if he's bullying a child or not. If he's a bully, he should be reprimanded harshly. Its not hard to figure out.
... written by Barbara J. Conner , May 21, 2011 - 01:13 am
My heart goes out to "Tomahawk." I am also concerned by his report of lack of action by school officials.
... written by Woolly Bully , May 21, 2011 - 01:52 am
by Morrow "If he's a bully, he should be reprimanded harshly. Its not hard to figure out." --------------------------
Not hard? I say is it. Being uncivil is not a crime. It is socially unacceptable but not a crime. The bully law is subjective, just as laws against porn. Just as any hate crime law is subjective. Just as the old laws against dancing.
... written by NORTHSIDIAN SHOTGUN , May 22, 2011 - 02:36 am
If my child was bullied anywhere school, church, wal-mart, I would find the bully's daaaaaaddy, and help him understand how bullying is wrong, and " he would go home and teach his son about the drawbacks of bullying. No threats just a promise .
... written by ragin_cajun , May 22, 2011 - 05:25 pm
So I actually read the bill...this is all completely ridiculous. There already IS a law requiring schools in all but 6 parishes to create an "anti-bullying" policy for the school system. This bill was a revision that adds language specific to sexual orientation, as the article says.
Why does the bill just HAVE to have that language it?
... written by martha , June 13, 2011 - 10:39 pm
It need the language because too many people think bullying gays is OK, at the same time thinking other bullying is not ok. So let us be specific and say that bullying gays is not OK.
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