WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1999

Education bill may protect gay students

By Ken Hanson

On-Line Forty-Niner

California Assemblywoman Sheila Kuehl of Santa Monica is reintroducing a piece of legislation that aims to protect the rights of students in California public schools.

The bill, AB-222, aims to include sexual orientation in the California Education Code. The code presently states that every student has the right to educational opportunity regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, or economic status.

Kuehl's bill is being introduced for the third time. Kuehl promised to reintroduce the bill after it was defeated in the 1997-1998 assembly session.

Governor Gray Davis said that he would sign the bill into law, if it ever reached his desk, according to a press release from Kuehl's office.

"This bill is about making certain these students have equal access to education," Kuehl said in a press release. "You can't concentrate, you can't learn, and you an never reach your full potential if you're always frightened and made to feel ashamed."

A national survey in 1998 found a 34 percent increase in violence against homosexuals. The same survey also reported an increase in violence against people thought to be gay.

AB-222 supporters will be lobbying assembly members in Sacramento on March 22. This will be the fourth annual Youth Lobby Day.

Students will meet with state senators and assembly members to urge the passing of the bill.

The Youth Lobby Day is organized by community and church groups.

The Universal Fellowship for Metropolitan Community Churches in Los Angeles was identified as one of the leading organizers.

The CSULB Gay, Lesbian and Bi-Sexual Resource Center has participated in the Youth Lobby Day in past years. Several Long Beach students made the trip last year.

"We get to meet lots of people," said Karla Saldaña, GLBRC program coordinator. "We get a chance to talk to the assembly members and tell them what we need."