Advocates Tell MN School District: You Can't Be "Neutral" On Bullying, Homophobia

Current and former students at Minnesota's largest school district have two big allies in their fight against bullying and harassment: the Southern Poverty Law Center and the National Center for Lesbian Rights.

The groups say Anoka-Hennepin School District's "neutrality" policy -- which bans any discussion of LGBT identity or issues by faculty and staff during class time -- is actually a "gag" order for teachers working to create a safe and welcoming environment for all students.

The two groups' May 24 letter to the Anoka-Hennepin School District demands that school district officials immediately repeal the "neutrality" policy. Show your support by signing the petition on Change.org, which tells the district: "Don’t wait for SPLC and NCLR to file a federal lawsuit or allow another day go by while students and families suffer. Make it a priority to create safe schools for all students in the Anoka-Hennepin School District now." It asks the district to respond by June 20.

According to the demand letter, the SPLC and NCLR are asking school officials to take immediate action to address  bullying and harassment. (You can also watch a YouTube video of the groups' work here: NCLR & SPLC Demand MN School District Repeal Policy)

The Anoka-Hennepin School District in Minnesota is the state's largest school system, serving 40,000 students and families. It now also has the distinction of leading the nation in the number of reported cases of suicide due to bullying and harassment this school year. During the 2010-2011 school year, the Anoka-Hennepin School District lost five students to suicide due to bullying and harassment.

You may remember the story of 15-year-old Justin Aaberg, a student at Anoka High School, who reportedly took his life after being subjected to bullying and harassment at his school. His mother, Tammy Aaberg, has said in testimony to the school board that the school's neutrality policy does not allow teachers to reach out and help students who are being bullied and harassed.

The SPLC conducted an investigation during the 2010-2011 school year and found that students reported often  being subjected to and hearing anti-gay slurs, and said they were bullied and harassed. Current and former students have come forward to say they too have experienced bullying and harassment. Teachers have reported that they do not know how to assist and help lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) students under the "gag" policy, created in 2009.

Some students have even expressed concern that they are afraid to come to school because of the environment on campus and current  "neutrality" policy, according to MN Public Radio.

According to the GLSEN 2009 National Student Climate Survey, 9 out of 10 students who identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) experience bullying and harassment. Those students also had a higher rate of missing classes due to bullying and harassment and suffered from poor academic performance  due to a school not having or implementing inclusive safe spaces for all students.

Students and families in Minnesota deserve better.  Sign the petition and tell Anoka-Hennepin Superintendent Dennis Carlson that the "neutrality" gag policy needs to be removed immediately. All students  should be protected from bullying and harassment and deserve to have safe spaces at school.