The Minneapolis School Board is scheduled to vote on a resolution supporting LGBT program in the district’s schools on Tuesday night and there will be opportunity for community input. The resolution, titled, “In Support that the Minneapolis Public School District Strengthen the Office of Equity and Diversity‘s Out4Good Program in Order to Effect a Healthier Learning Environment for Lesbian
Gay Bisexual Transgender and Questioning (LGBTQ) Students,” would beef up anti-bullying programs, formalize much of the already cutting edge efforts of the district in regards to LGBT students, establish permanent LGBT programs and establish optional courses reflecting LGBT individuals’ contributions to history.

The resolution was first proposed by outgoing school board member Chris Stewart in December.

Here’s the full resolution:

WHEREAS: Minnesota is regarded as having the broadest coverage for sexual orientation rights against discrimination of any state in the nation, as well as the best definition through the MN Human Rights Law; and

WHEREAS: The non discrimination provisions in the Minnesota Human Rights Law make it illegal for schools to discriminate against LGBTQ students or allow the school climate to get so hostile that LGBTQ students lack equal access to education; and

WHEREAS: MPS has Board Policy protecting the rights of all students regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity; and

WHEREAS: The Minneapolis Public School District is comprised of a diverse community of students, staff and families of many races, abilities, cultures, religions, sexual orientations, and gender identities; and

WHEREAS: LGBTQ students are verbally, physically, and emotionally harassed at school because of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity (actual or perceived) and therefore report feeling unsafe at school; and

WHEREAS: Such remarks run contrary to the MPS Anti-Harassment, Anti-Discrimination, and Anti-Bullying policies; and

WHEREAS: By creating the Out4Good program in 1996; MPS became one of only six known public school districts in the country to have developed a comprehensive program to ensure the safety and inclusion of LGBTQ students, staff and families;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That in the service of effecting a healthier learning environment for our LGBTQ students, the Board of Education of the Minneapolis Public School District requests that the Superintendent of Schools create an LGBTQ sub-committee to ensure the inclusion of LGBTQ students staff and families in all aspects of the school district, including curriculum and activities; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That school support professionals, teachers, and administrators receive LGBTQ cultural sensitivity training every other year through an approved training mechanism; and

FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED: That Gay/Straight Alliances be fully acknowledged as co- curricular activities and GSA Staff Advisors be fully acknowledged and compensated as co- curricular assignments

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That a sexual orientation and gender identity curriculum be developed by the Out4Good program in partnership with the MN Department of Health and be recognized and implemented as a core component of the MPS-wide sexual health curriculum; and

FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED: That educational materials discussing the issues of sexuality, gender identity, and safety for staff, students and families be funded and prepared and distributed annually

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That MPS post on its website—and the website of its various divisions and departments, resources and contacts for students who have experienced homophobic and transphobic harassment, as well as their parents/guardians; and

FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED: That students, parents/guardians and school staff be made aware of which staff member is responsible for reporting and investigating incidences of discrimination through school-wide postings and distribution of handouts; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That MPS establish a District-wide procedure for recording, tracking, reporting, and responding to incidences of harassment and discrimination as they are relevant to LGBTQ students, and any other group enumerated in MPS Board Policy, and that the procedure include responsive measures ranging from counseling and education to
suspension, expulsion or restorative justice practices, depending upon severity of the action; and

FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED: That MPS institute an interdisciplinary course on LGBTQ history and literature with enrollment open to students from any MPS high school and for which participating students would receive credit; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That each year, the LGBTQ Sub-Committee be responsible for reporting to both the MPS Board of Education on the progress of each the policy directives outlined in all of the foregoing resolved clauses; and

FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED: That the components of this resolution that have budget implications will be re-evaluated including the results of outside fundraising as part of the budget development process.