Activists say proposed Mass. anti-bullying law needs to include gender identity
by Peter Cassels
EDGE Contributor
Monday Nov 23, 2009
http://www.edgeboston.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=&sc2=news&sc3=&id=99307 (http://www.edgeboston.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=&sc2=news&sc3=&id=99307)
Massachusetts lawmakers are mulling a bill that would put teeth into a law on the books since 1993 that addresses bullying in public schools. LGBT activists are pleased, but they remain concerned over the lack of transgender-specific protections.
Proposals to strengthen the statute come partially as a result of the suicide of an 11-year-old boy last April after classmates bullied and harassed him because they thought he was gay. They called him "->-bleeped-<-got," and said he acted like a girl and made fun of his clothes.