Iowa Radio Stations
Refuse
School Gay Bashing
Ads
by 365Gay.com from
the Web, May 3, 2005, Newscenter Staff
Des Moines, Iowa May 2 --
Radio Iowa, a network of 60 stations has rejected ads aimed at educating people
about the problems LGBT students have at the hands of bullies.
The ads were produced for the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network and
are running in six other states.
Learfield Communications, which owns Radio Iowa, rejected the ads calling them
controversial.
Last month, legislation that would help curb bullying and harassment in Iowa
schools died after a week of stonewalling by Senate Republicans.
The bill would have prohibited students from harassing others for race,
ethnicity and sexuality.
"It was very disappointing that any station would turn down this ad based on its
content," Liza Byard deputy executive director of GLSEN told the Des Moines
Register. "The problem we're trying to address is pervasive."
The one-minute ad features voices of students and parents promoting laws that
prevent bullying of gay students.
According to a GLSEN survey of schools nationwide 4 out of 5 LGBT students
reported being verbally, sexually or physically harassed at school because of
their sexual orientation.
The study also found that inclusive safe schools policies, teacher trainings on
LGBT issues and supporting student clubs commonly known as Gay-Straight
Alliances are part of the solution to ensure schools are safe and effective
environments for all students.
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