LAUSD Gets Schooled on LGBTQ+ Inclusivity
A new LAUSD resolution to increase support for LGBTQ+ students and families will be implemented this school year.
With the upcoming school year around the corner, parents are looking to the Los Angeles Unified School District to see how the Rodríguez Resolution will be implemented.
Photo: Courtesy LAUSD.
Former Board Member for the L.A. Unified Board of Education Dr. Ref Rodríguez authored the resolution in June to better support LGBTQ+ students after listening to concerns and recommendations from the LGBTQA Youth Council of the Latino Equality Alliance.
"I have spent most of my life advocating for the LGBTQ+ community and quality education for all," Rodríguez said after the resolution was passed. "…This kind of policymaking is what motivated me to join the board."
This resolution would provide specialized support LGBTQ+ students. The resolution outlines the following requirements for schools in the district to follow:
• Recognize October as LGBTQ+ History Month
• Mandate a high school textbook adoption committee work with the Division of Instruction to include students as part of the committee
• Increase LGBTQ+ competency training for educators, staff, administrators and parents
• Add a platform to achieve.lausd.net that shares LGBTQ+ information and resources.
• Conduct an analysis of single user, all gender bathrooms to find out whether they are compliant with State Law AB1732
"We should not have to pass resolutions to affirm this basic human right," Former principal and Board Member Scott M. Schmerelson said.
In 2011, LAUSD became the first California district to uphold the SB 48 – the FAIR Education Act – which allowed California schools to update references to "certain categories of persons." It also required instruction in social sciences to include a study of the role and contributions to the development of California and the U.S. by the LGBTQ+ community, people with disabilities and people from other cultural groups.
"All students have the right to a learning environment where they are treated with dignity and respect," L.A. Unified Superintendent Austin Beutner said in a press release. "We are sending a clear message that all L.A. Unified schools are places were LGBTQ+ students are welcome, supported and valued."
Later this month, Beutner will present his plan for implementing the new resolution.
L.A.U.S.D. Board of Education told The Pride L.A. that the District is on track with implementing the resolution's mandated items, as reported by Director of Community Engagement, Northeast Ray Lopez, who was instrumental to the resolution's creation and passage.
After Superintendent Beutner presents recommendations for executing the resolution to the Board of Education, the board will make its final decision on how to finalize the actions of the resolution by October 2018.
By Annette Semerdjian August 8, 2018
Tags: education, Inclusion, LAUSD, LGBT, LGBTQIA, Los Angeles, school in EDUCATION, LOS ANGELES, NEWS
AIDS, CALIFORNIA, HEALTH, LOCAL, NEWS
January 18, 2020 Amy Patton
A&E, FEATURED, FEATURES, LOCAL, LOS ANGELES, Q&A, SPORTS, WEST HOLLYWOOD
Hosted annually by The Greater Los Angeles Softball Association (GLASA), Sin City Classic brings together the United State's finest athletes for a...
A&E, ARTS, BEST OF GAY LA, BUSINESS, LOCAL, LONG BEACH, NEWS, NIGHTLIFE, PRIDE
Formerly known as the Long Beach Lesbian and Gay Pride, the new and improved Long Beach Pride – the organization...
AIDS, EDUCATION, HEALTH, LOCAL, LOS ANGELES, NEWS, SEX, TECHNOLOGY, TRANS HEALTH, VIDEO
January 15, 2020 thepridela
'Center South' will provide HIV testing; access to PrEP and PEP services; housing case management; mental health services; a computer lab; and...
LOCAL, LOS ANGELES, Q&A, SPORTS, WEST HOLLYWOOD
For those who cannot wait every two years for an iteration of the Olympics, or every four years for Gay...
A&E, LOCAL, LOS ANGELES, NIGHTLIFE, WEST HOLLYWOOD
LA's Only Known Trans Nightlife Event Just Got A Little More Fierce
Heavenly Bodies is Los Angeles' only known monthly transgender nightlife event featuring live performances hosted by trans model and activist, Sasha Colby. Proceeds...
CRIME, LOCAL, NEWS, SANTA MONICA, SEX
Tyler Buchanan faces 10 years in federal prison By Sam Catanzaro A man has pleaded guilty to using Craigslist, among...
CRIME, LEGAL, LOCAL, NEWS, OBITUARY, WEST HOLLYWOOD
Honoring Timothy Dean One Year Later
January 8, 2020 Amy Patton
An intimate gathering was held Tuesday, Jan. 7 at West Hollywood Park to honor the 1-year anniversary of 55-year-old fashion...
Photo: Facebook.
A&E, ARTS, BEST OF GAY LA, BUSINESS, FILM, LOCAL, LOS ANGELES, NEWS
January 7, 2020 thepridela
GLAAD announced Tuesday, Jan. 7 that Taylor Swift with receive the Vanguard Award at the 31st Annual GLAAD Media Awards. ...
CALIFORNIA, HEALTH, Life, LOCAL, NEWS, POLITICS, TRANS, TRANS HEALTH
Three CA Bills for the LGBTQ+ Community to Keep An Eye On
Three key pieces of California legislation that were tabled last year for various reasons will see the floor in 2020. ...
A&E, HOLLYWOOD, LOCAL, LOS ANGELES, NIGHTLIFE, TELEVISION
LGBT Icon, Talkshow Host Ellen DeGeneres Wins Award at 77th Annual Golden Globes
The 77th annual Golden Globes is looking a little bit more LGBTQ-inclusive, and talkshow host and LGBTQ+ icon Ellen DeGeneres'...
CALENDAR, Holiday, HOME, LOCAL, LOS ANGELES, WEST HOLLYWOOD
City of WeHo to Host Clothing Drive for LGBTQ Youth
The City of West Hollywood will host its eighth annual clothing drive for the Los Angeles LGBT Center's Youth Services...
A&E, ARTS, BEST OF GAY LA, BOYLE HEIGHTS, CALENDAR, LOCAL, LOS ANGELES, THEATER
Frida Kahlo was born July 6, 1907 and died July 13, 1954. Her death certificate alleges cause of death as "pulmonary...
A&E, BEST OF GAY LA, HOLLYWOOD, LOCAL, LOS ANGELES
2020 Golden Globes Nominations Gayer Than Ever
Awards season is just around the corner, and the LGBTQ+ representation is bigger and better than ever before. The 77th...
LOS ANGELES, NEWS
New LGBT Center to Serve Community in South LA
The Los Angeles LGBT Center will be growing yet again. On January 11, the Center will open its south campus...