Press

SCHOOLS/CAMPUS:

In California, a bill banning discrimination against gay students in public schools and colleges was introduced. The Dignity for All Students bill would prohibit bias based on sexual orientation in school employment, curriculum and the treatment of students on campus. In Rhode Island there is a measure that would repeal a law passed last year that lets parents take their children out of AIDS education and sex education classes.

In three states (WA, NH, FL) anti-gay bills concerning curriculum were introduced, and in two states (CA, NC) anti-gay bills concerning military recruitment on campuses are being considered.

SODOMY:

Five sodomy repeal measures were introduced in four states (AZ, MA, RI, VA). Virginia's bill is dead.

Twelve anti-gay measures involving sodomy were introduced in Kansas. By far the most alarming would have made persons convicted of sodomy register as a sex offender. Activists were successful in having the bill amended to exclude sodomy. The two other types of bills, one making the limitation on prosecutions of criminal sodomy 5 years and the other making sodomy unable to be expunged from a criminal record did not meet deadlines and will be held over until next year. Kansas has a two year legislative session.

Sodomy laws, even when not fully enforced are used to classify gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgenders as criminals. To that end, Indiana legislators are considering a measure that would extend the definition of voyeurism. Missouri activists believe the measure is purely an attempt to harass the gay community.

TRANSGENDER

Missouri is considering a measure hostile to transgendered people. It would make transgender status of a parent an issue in determining child custody.

HIV/AIDS:

At least 38 bills addressing HIV/AIDS issues have been introduced in at least 16 states. The measures range from repealing laws allowing the compassionate use of medical marijuana to establishing needle exchange programs.

This information was gathered by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force from a variety of sources, including news reports, state activists and organizations, state legislative libraries and other organizations, including the Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund. Due to the large number of bills introduced, it is virtually impossible for this data to be completely accurate and comprehensive. Individuals with information on legislative activity not in this report should contact the NGLTF Field Department at 202/332-6483, extension 3303.

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The mission of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force is to build the political power of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community from the ground up. We do this by training activists, organizing broad-based campaigns to defeat anti-LGBT referenda and advance pro-LGBT legislation, and by building the organizational capacity of our movement. Our Policy Institute, the movement’s premier think tank, provides research and policy analysis to support the struggle for complete equality and to counter right-wing lies. As part of a broader social justice movement, we work to create a nation that respects the diversity of human expression and identity and creates opportunity for all. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., we also have offices in New York City, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis and Cambridge.