anti-bullying

Alleged anti-gay harassment at the hands of teachers at a north metro school district cost taxpayers $25,000, the Star Tribune reports. The settlement addresses exactly the kind of hostile school environment an anti-bullying bill vetoed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty was supposed to address.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty vetoed an anti-bullying bill on Saturday, shocking supporters who said they had negotiated with the governor’s office.

The Safe Schools for All bill passed the Minnesota House on Monday and is heading to the desk of Gov. Tim Pawlenty.

Advocates and people with disabilities say a bill to strengthen anti-bullying programs in Minnesota’s schools is vital to promoting the safety of disabled students. But Republicans and the religious right are pushing back because it contains protections for gender identity and sexual orientation that amounts to “indoctrination of homosexuality.”

A bill to strengthen anti-bullying laws passed the Senate Education Committee on Tuesday, but not before anti-gay groups testified against it because a provision in the bill would have schools address bullying based on sexual orientation, in addition to 14 other characteristics.