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 After Vetoing Gay Marriage Bill Schwarzenegger
Signs 4 Other LGBT Laws
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
Posted: October 15, 2007 - 1:00 pm ET
(Sacramento, California) Gov. Arnold
Schwarzenegger has signed legislation that will require the Department of
Education to monitor the way schools adhere to the state's anti-bias laws and
specifically mandates the department to ensure the protection of LGBT students.
It was one of four new LGBT-positive bills signed
by the governor after vetoing legislation that would have allowed gay and
lesbian couples in the state to marry. (story)
Earlier this year, Schwarzenegger signed
legislation allowing same-sex couples to hare a common surname and a bill making
it easier to couples to file state income tax.,
"Despite his veto of the marriage
legislation, the six bills that were signed will improve the lives of millions
of LGBT Californians and their families," said Equality California
Executive Director Geoff Kors.
The Safe Place to Learn Act applies to
publicly-funded institutions and activities, including alternative and charter
schools, postsecondary institutions, instructional materials and financial aid
programs.
It was co-sponsored by Equality California and
Asian Americans for Civil Rights and Equality.
Schwarzenegger also signed the Student Civil
Rights Act and the Safe Place to Learn Act which protects students from
harassment and bullying in public schools by making sure teachers and school
administrators fully understand their responsibilities to protect youth.
The measures are similar to legislation rejected
last year by Schwarzenegger who at the time said it was vague and potentially
confusing and was redundant because California's education code already
prohibits discrimination in schools. (story)
A recent survey of California students found that
91 percent had heard disparaging remarks about other students based on
sexuality.
Similar studies have found that bullied gay
students are more likely to suffer lower grades or drop out of school.
The governor also signed a bill that bans
discrimination in government services based on sexual orientation and gender
identity. And he signed legislation that provides safeguards to protect LGBT
youth from abuse and mistreatment in California's Department of Juvenile Justice
facilities.
While Equality California and other LGBT rights
groups praised the governor for signing the schools measure they are planning
demonstrations tonight across the state to show their anger at the marriage bill
veto.
"While we are very pleased the governor
signed the majority of EQCA's bills this year, we are extremely disappointed
that he vetoed one of the most important bills the Legislature sent
him," said Kors.
In San Francisco, a rally will be held at Harvey
Milk Plaza. Other rallies are scheduled for Bakersfield, Lakeport, Modesto,
Porterville, Sacramento, Stockton and Ukiah.
The Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage
Protection Act passed last month was almost identical to legislation passed in
2005 and vetoed by Schwarzenegger.
The bill would have amended the Family Code to
define marriage as a civil contract between two persons instead of a civil
contract between a man and a woman.
As he did in 2005, the governor in a message to
the legislature said the issue of marriage for same-sex couples should be left
to voters and the state Supreme Court.
The California Supreme Court is preparing to hear
oral arguments in a case brought by the National Center for Lesbian Rights,
Lambda Legal and the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of 15 same-sex
couples and Equality California. (story)
©365Gay.com 2007
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