HISD Approves Trans Protections
Houston, Texas – The Houston Independent School District (HISD), the seventh largest school district in the country and the largest in Texas now has fully inclusive GLBT protections for students. The Board voted 7-0, in favor of the policy, with 2 members absent, on June 23, 2011.
This vote was the second of two that finalized an updated the HISD student code of conduct. When the measure passed, applause erupted in the auditorium.
“My experience in school was fairly horrific. The bullying I endured inspired thoughts of suicide each and every day. There were days when I would beg – on my knees with tears rolling down my face – to not be sent to school. School was a living hell and staff did nothing to make it better. HISD did the right thing and I will forever be grateful to the HISD Board for acting to ensure that no other student need suffer the way I suffered.” Said Cristan Williams, Executive Director of the Transgender Foundation of America.
The following is a list of voting HISD Board members along with their vote.
Juliet K. Stipeche – Voted YES
District VIII
jstipech@houstonisd.org
Anna Eastman – Voted YES
District I
aeastman@houstonisd.org
Paula Harris – Voted YES
District IV
pharris3@houstonisd.org
Manuel Rodríguez Jr. – Voted YES
District III
mrodrigu@houstonisd.org
Carol Mims Galloway – Voted YES
District II
cgallowa@houstonisd.org
Lawrence Marshall – Voted YES
District IX
lmarsha1@houstonisd.org
Greg Meyers – Voted YES
District VI
gmeyers@houstonisd.org
Please take 2 minutes and send an email to the above Board members to thank them for their courage on taking up this important issue.