Res. No. 408
Resolution calling upon the New York City Department of Education to make use of available free resources from the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) in its implementation of the Respect for All initiative in order to protect and support lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students.
By Council Members Dromm, Brewer, Fidler, James, Koslowitz, Lander, Palma, Van Bramer, Nelson and Mendez
Whereas, According to Chancellor's Regulation A-832, it is the policy of the New York City Department of Education (DOE) to maintain a safe and supportive learning and educational environment that is free from harassment, intimidation and/or bullying committed by students against other students on account of race, color, creed, ethnicity, national origin citizenship/immigration status, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation or disability; and
Whereas, The DOE's Respect for All (RFA) initiative works to protect all students, including lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students from bullying and harassment through confidential reporting of incidents, prompt investigation, appropriate intervention and educating students parents and staff about the policy through posters hung in schools and brochures distributed annually; and
Whereas, Research shows that LGBT students are particularly vulnerable to bullying and harassment on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression; and
Whereas, According to the 2007 National School Climate Survey conducted by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), responses show that in New York 79% of LGBT students were verbally harassed due to sexual orientation and 62% due to gender expression, 41% were physically harassed due to sexual orientation and 28% due to gender expression, and 20% were physically assaulted due to sexual orientation and 13% due to their gender expression; and
Whereas, GLSEN's research further reports that 60% of New York students who had been harassed or assaulted in school never reported it to a staff person, and only 40% of the students who did report the incident said school staff intervened effectively; and
Whereas, This research also found that LGBT students with a greater number of supportive staff members had higher grade point averages than those with fewer supportive staff members; and
Whereas, Despite publication of the anti-bullying policy, LGBT students are often unaware that they are protected by anti-bullying and harassment policies and that supportive staff members exist in their schools; and
Whereas, GLSEN, a nonprofit organization that strives to assure that each member of every school community is valued and respected regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression, has made available free Safe Space Kits through its website; and
Whereas, GLSEN's Safe Space Kit is designed to help educators create a safe space for LGBT students and is one of the most effective ways for an educator to create a safe learning environment in school for all students and to be a supportive ally to LGBT students; and
Whereas, GLSEN's website also offers access to other free tools, such as educator guides and lesson plans to facilitate classroom discussions; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York City Department of Education to make use of available free resources from the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) in its implementation of the Respect for All initiative in order to protect and support lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students.
LS# 988
JA
7/30/10