SAFE SCHOOLS

Equality Alabama is committed to the position that all public and private schools in Alabama should be safe learning environments for everyone - free of harassment, discrimination and prejudice.

Concerning the safety of sexual minority youth, a survey and analysis of state laws that affect school environments and safety for all students, particularly GLBT students, was completed in 2004 by GLSEN (the Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network). Alabama received a failing score of 3 out of a possible 100, ranking 49th out the 51 states and the District of Columbia. Only Mississippi and Arizona ranked lower. As for local school anti-bullying and anti-violence policies, EA knows of no school in Alabama with a policy that prohibits harassment, bullying, and violence related to sexual orientation and gender identity.

It is clear that gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth are not protected in the schools of Alabama. Neither are straight children protected who are often shunned or taunted because they have same sex parents or other relatives and friends.

At this time, there is only one high school in Alabama that has a Gay Student Association, and it is in a private school. Yet, if a school allows non-curriculum student organizations, a school cannot legally deny the formation of a gay student association. However, EA has received reports that GLBT students and allies have been denied the right to organize by school administrators.   

Equality Alabama is committed to providing information and access to resources to individuals and educational groups who are working to create safe schools. The following websites provide excellent information on Safe Schools.

ACLU (Safe School Project) 
www.aclu.org/LesbianGayRights

GLSEN                                  
www.glsen.org

NGLTF                                  
www.thetaskforce.org

PFLAG                                  
www.pflag.org

Safe Schools Coalition          
www.safeschoolscoalition.org

Teaching Tolerance               
www.tolerance.org

EA can also identify professional educators in the state who are available to provide training to school systems willing to work toward making their school safe learning environments.

For more information and assistance in making Alabama schools safe for everyone, please contact Equality Alabama.

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