By Stu Johnson
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkms/local-wkms-954068.mp3
Frankfort, KY – A bill that expands the protections given gay students against bullying is on its way to the house floor. The action came after testimony from three gay students who were targeted by bullies while in high school.
The bullies often found in Kentucky's schools were targeted with legislation already approved by the Kentucky general assembly. However, proponents of a new bill say the victim's sexual orientation was not specifically addressed in that law. During a hearing held by the House Education Committee, 13 year old A.J. Long testified. Last year, when the Bullitt County teenager publicly acknowledged his homosexuality, Long says the harassment began.
"It got to the point to in mid-January where I was getting shoved and pushed down to lockers because of who I was," said Long.
In her testimony, Long's mother Christy Watkins said her son's demeanor went through a complete transformation.
"My child used to be happy bright, you know smile all the time and now he's not and that's awful, because of what these kids are doing to him has changed him 110 percent," said Watkins.
The bill easily passed out of committee, but not before several lawmakers raised concerns. Like northern Kentucky Representative Addia Wuchner, many believe current law provides enough protection.
"I am sorry AJ, that school administrators failed to hold their employees accountable because there are laws on the books that should have protected you," added Wuchner.
Madisonville Representative Ben Waide agrees current law should be enough to spur school officials to action. But, in casting his no vote, Waide admitted maintaining discipline at school can be difficult.
"Now I have a very close relationship with my school administrators and we all know that their hands are increasingly tied when it comes to school discipline and maybe this body needs to do something to further empower the people in your office to do something about this," explained Waide.
In response, Oldham County Assistant School Superintendent Dan Orman endorsed the legislation. Orman says it would offer some re-affirmation about how schools should deal with bullies. He says it would allow him to file a criminal complaint on the victim's behalf.
Following the committee vote, Louisville Representative and bill sponsor Mary Lou Marzian added the measure would broaden a school official's options when bullies are disciplined.
"This would give them tools in the toolbox to use with reprimands suspension and probably and I'll have to further check it with each district but if it continues even expulsion," said Marzian.
As a high school student in Casey County, Bradley Kaufman suffered harassment. Kaufman, who's now a student at the University of Louisville, listed the bullying, intimidation and harassment he suffered. He says it will take more than tougher rules.
"Nothing ever happened around an administrator no one was around they couldn't have that many people, can't afford that," said Kaufman.
Since school officials cannot be everywhere all the time, Kaufman says a change in attitude is necessary. For example, he says teachers in his community didn't know how to handle differences in sexual orientation. Real change, he says, will happen once students, school officials and the general public can manage diversity.