Augusta, ME- The Legislature voted late yesterday to pass a revised version of the anti-bullying bill, LD 1237, by a vote of 32 to 2 in the Senate, and 128 to 4 in the House. 

“We applaud the Legislature for their efforts to stand up for kids,” said Ned McCann, Vice President of the Maine Children’s Alliance.  “All Maine children deserve to be safe at school, and LD 1237 is a big step towards that goal.”

The bill went through an extensive revision process in the Education Committee, with input from students, educators and stakeholders, before members of the committee voted unanimously to support the bill.

“I witnessed bullying almost every day at school” says MaKayla Reed, a senior at Ellsworth High School who testified in support of the bill last year. “It means so much to me and students like me to know that the Legislature has supported a bill to help address this devastating issue.”

“Teachers know firsthand that students can’t learn if they’re scared to be in school.  This bill will help make sure that all kids feel safe in their classrooms and can focus on learning,” said Chris Galgay, the President of the Maine Education Association. 

The bill improves on existing Maine law by providing a clear definition of bullying, an explicit prohibition on bullying behavior, a range of alternative discipline strategies for schools, policies focused on prevention and accountability, and training on how to address and prevent bullying for teachers.  Maine law currently requires only that bullying be addressed in the Student Code of Conduct – something that has led to great variation in the state. 

“This bill will make a real and positive difference in the lives of all of our students. While many schools in Maine are doing good work, this bill would ensure that all students are protected no matter what community they live in,” said Mary L. Bonauto, an attorney with Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders. 

“The bill that the Legislature approved yesterday has struck an appropriate balance that protects student safety and freedom of speech.  We can reduce bullying in school without undermining our fundamental civil liberties.” said Alysia Melnick, Public Policy Council for the American Civil Liberties Union of Maine.

Groups supporting passage of the bill include the ACLU of Maine, Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD), Maine Children’s Alliance, Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, EqualityMaine, the Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence, the Maine Council of Churches, the Maine Education Association, the Maine Women’s Lobby, and the Religious Coalition Against Discrimination.

Today Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee (I) issued an executive order directing state agencies to recognize the marriages of the state’s same-sex couples, in compliance with established Rhode Island marriage recognition law.  Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) commended the action and described the beneficial effects it will have on Rhode Island families.

GLAD issued a publication, Rhode Island Agency Recognition of the Marriages of Same-Sex Couples: Your Government Respects Your Marriage to help married Rhode Island same-sex couples understand what this means for them.

“The executive order will have immediate positive impact on married same-sex couples, who now will be able to receive consistent, equal treatment from their state government,” says Karen L. Loewy, Senior Staff Attorney with GLAD, who worked with the Governor’s office on the order.

“We thank the Governor for his leadership. This is exactly the kind of incremental progress toward marriage equality that the state needs,” says GLAD Staff Attorney Janson Wu. “Now it’s the legislature’s turn to protect all families without delay by passing marriage equality.”

GLAD and Marriage Equality Rhode Island had together urged the Governor to issue the executive order.  Over the past several months, GLAD has been working with the Chafee administration on behalf of several married couples and surviving spouses seeking respect for their marriages from various state agencies.  Rather than addressing the issue on a case-by-case basis, however, this provides comprehensive recognition for the marriages of same-sex couples by public agencies in Rhode Island.

The executive order has broad impact, affecting any aspect of state programs that turns on a person’s marital status.  It will ensure that married same-sex couples are treated the same as married different-sex couples regarding employment benefits both for state employees and for any insured plan regulated by the state, public pensions, workers compensation protections, birth certificates for children born to married same-sex couples, and social services provided by the state.

The order is solidly rooted in established Rhode Island comity law.  Rhode Island has always recognized marriages lawfully celebrated in other jurisdictions, regardless of whether the couple could have married in Rhode Island.  Governor Chafee’s order makes plain that these same principles apply to the marriages of same-sex couples, and provides clear instructions to state agencies as to how to do so in executing their duties.

Rhode Island has yet to pass marriage equality legislation.  In 2011 the legislature passed civil union legislation.  Very few Rhode Island same-sex couples have entered into civil unions, but many have been married in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, and other states. “Clearly there’s work still to be done,” says Wu. “In the meantime, Rhode Island families can feel more protected and secure.”

Today Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee (I) issued an executive order directing state agencies to recognize the marriages of the state’s same-sex couples, in compliance with established Rhode Island marriage recognition law.  Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) commended the action and described the beneficial effects it will have on Rhode Island families.

“The executive order will have immediate positive impact on married same-sex couples, who now will be able to receive consistent, equal treatment from their state government,” said Karen L. Loewy, Senior Staff Attorney with GLAD, who worked with the Governor’s office on the order.

“We thank the Governor for his leadership. This is exactly the kind of incremental progress toward marriage equality that the state needs,” said GLAD Staff Attorney Janson Wu. “Now it’s the legislature’s turn to protect all families without delay by passing marriage equality.”

GLAD and Marriage Equality Rhode Island had together urged the Governor to issue the executive order.  Over the past several months, GLAD has been working with the Chafee administration on behalf of several married couples and surviving spouses seeking respect for their marriages from various state agencies.  Rather than addressing the issue on a case-by-case basis, however, this provides comprehensive recognition for the marriages of same-sex couples by public agencies in Rhode Island.

The executive order has broad impact, affecting any aspect of state programs that turns on a person’s marital status.  It will ensure that married same-sex couples are treated the same as married different-sex couples regarding employment benefits both for state employees and for any insured plan regulated by the state, public pensions, workers compensation protections, birth certificates for children born to married same-sex couples, and social services provided by the state.

The order is solidly rooted in established Rhode Island comity law.  Rhode Island has always recognized marriages lawfully celebrated in other jurisdictions, regardless of whether the couple could have married in Rhode Island.  Governor Chafee’s order makes plain that these same principles apply to the marriages of same-sex couples, and provides clear instructions to state agencies as to how to do so in executing their duties.

Rhode Island has yet to pass marriage equality legislation.  In 2011 the legislature passed civil union legislation.  Very few Rhode Island same-sex couples have entered into civil unions, but many have been married in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, and other states. “Clearly there’s work still to be done,” said Wu. “In the meantime, Rhode Island families can feel more protected and secure.”

Read GLAD’s publication Rhode Island Agency Recognition of the Marriages of Same-Sex Couples: Your Government Respects Your Marriage

While Massachusetts has good legal protections for its LGBTQ students, few students know their legal rights or how to exercise them in school. Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) and BAGLY: The Boston Alliance of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Youth have moved to in to fill that gap with a collaboration, the “Got Rights Project”, which they are rolling out this month across the state.

Prompted by the passage of the Massachusetts anti-bullying law in 2010, the two groups started working together to create written and other materials to inform and empower Massachusetts students. The materials include wristbands, bookmarks, brochures, and a video.  The centerpiece of the collaboration is an interactive workshop that is being presented around the state.

“Knowing your rights is the first step to empowering yourself,” said GLAD Senior Staff Attorney Vickie Henry.  “But the law can be off-putting and intimidating.  We wanted to get this critical information to young people in way that is fun, engaging, and memorable.” GLAD encourages youth who are having legal problems to contact the GLAD InfoLine at 800-455-GLAD (4523), or at http://www.glad.org/got-lgbtq-rights.

“LGBTQ youth disproportionately experience discrimination, harassment and violence in and out of school settings”, said Jessica Flaherty, Director of Programs for BAGLY.  “Also, systemic homo/bi/transphobia blocks access to much needed accurate legal information and support.  The Got Rights Project offers LGBTQ youth opportunities to gain or increase an understanding of their legal rights and puts them in direct contact with the legal services at GLAD.”

The video “Got LGBTQ Rights?” which is shown as part of the workshop, was co-produced by GLAD and True Colors, the Theater Offensive’s youth theater group. It features many BAGLY youth and can be viewed at www.glad.org/got-lgbtq-rights.

Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders is New England’s leading legal organization dedicated to ending discrimination based on sexual orientation, HIV status, and gender identity and expression.

Boston Alliance of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Youth is a youth led, adult supported social support organization, committed to social justice, and creating, sustaining and advocating for programs, policies and services for the LGBTQ youth community.

The workshop will be presented across the state throughout the month of May (in Worcester, Pittsfield, Salem, Hyannis, and Holyoke), co-facilitated by a GLAD lawyer and two BAGLY youth. 

SCHEDULE
May 16, 5:00 pm       Worcester at the meeting of SWAGLY (Supporters of Worcester Area Gay and Lesbian Youth)
May 17, 3:00 pm       Pittsfield at the Live Out Loud Youth Project
May 22, 7:00 pm       Salem at the meeting of NAGLY (North Shore Alliance Gay and Lesbian Youth)
May 23, 6:00 pm       Hyannis at the meeting of CIGSYA (Cape and Islands Gay & Straight Youth Alliance)
May 26, 11:00 am       Holyoke at the Conference of Tolerance and Acceptance

The workshops are open to any youth who would like to attend; for more information contact . Those who are interested in scheduling a workshop for their own youth group, conference, or school group can contact .

Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders is New England’s leading legal organization dedicated to ending discrimination based on sexual orientation, HIV status, and gender identity and expression.

Boston Alliance of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Youth is a youth led, adult supported social support organization, committed to social justice, and creating, sustaining and advocating for programs, policies and services for the LGBTQ youth community.

The following statement is from Mary Bonauto, the director of the Civil Rights Project at Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD):

“President Obama has traveled a road that many Americans have traveled in recent years. Gay and lesbian couples have the same love and make the same commitment as all couples, and deserve the same recognition as full citizens. Our country’s history is one of expanding the circle of constitutional rights and protections to include more citizens, and our nation is always the better for it.”

Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) and the Connecticut Employment Lawyers Association (CELA) applaud a May 4 ruling from the Connecticut Supreme Court that employers can be liable if they fail to protect employees from harassment based on sexual orientation. In Patino v. Birken Manufacturing Company (Docket No. 18441), the Court also upheld a jury award of $95,000 in favor of plaintiff Luis Patino.

When Patino was employed as a machinist by the defendant, he was the object of pervasive name-calling for several years, including “faggot go home,” and “faggot get out of here.” He was subjected to slurs in English, Spanish and Italian, such as “pato,” “maricon,”  “pira,” and “homo.” By affirming that employees can sue employers for anti-gay harassment in the workplace, the Court rejected the defendant’s argument that workplace harassment claims are limited to sexual harassment.

GLAD and CELA filed an amicus brief on behalf of seven Connecticut civil rights groups: the African-American Affairs Commission, the Center for Disability Rights, the Connecticut Alliance for Business Opportunities, the Connecticut Hispanic Bar Association, the Connecticut Transadvocacy Coalition, the Permanent Commission on the Status of Women, and Triangle Community Center.

In urging the Court to find coverage under Connecticut law for cases of antigay workplace harassment, the brief highlighted the scientific literature demonstrating that incidents of discrimination, including based on sexual orientation and race, can lead directly to mental and physical harm.

GLAD Senior Attorney Ben Klein said “Anti-gay prejudice is hardly a relic of the past even though Connecticut now has formal legal equality for gay and lesbian people. The Supreme Court’s decision sends a powerful message that employers who tolerate anti-gay harassment will pay a price.”

The plaintiff Luis Patino was represented by Attorney Jon L. Schoenhorn of Hartford. The amicus brief was written by Ben Klein of GLAD in Boston, MA and Nina T. Pirrotti of Garrison, Levin-Epstein, Chimes, Richardson & Fitzgerald, P.C. in New Haven.