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History of Iowa Safe Schools |
All students need a safe, supportive environment in which to learn, including students who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, (LGBT) or are perceived to be. There is extensive evidence that LGBT students are disproportionately targets for harassment and discrimination in schools. Left unchecked, this harassment and discrimination may escalate to the level of physical violence or violent crime. The climate of fear experienced by LGBT students frequently results in increased absenteeism, decreased academic performance and increased risk of suicide and other high-risk behaviors. As these students face verbal and physical harassment; educators, policy makers, parents, and other students are hampered by the lack of quality information and resources to protect LGBT students.
In fulfilling one of the responsibilities of the Iowa Civil Rights Commission (ICRC) -- to investigate and study the existence, character, causes, and extent of discrimination in the state and to attempt the elimination of such discrimination by education and conciliation – the ICRC created a task force to address a growing need in schools and communities regarding the safety of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) students.
Beginning in April 2002, the GLBT Youth in Iowa Schools Task Force has worked to put together evidence of the problem in Iowa schools, resources for parents, communities and schools, and increased awareness in multiple venues. The Task Force is more commonly known as Iowa Safe Schools.
Awards
· Friends of Iowa Civil Rights Award for Education in 2003.
· Mary Louise Smith Award for Human Rights from the Des Moines Human Rights Commission in 2006.
Mission Statement
The mission of Iowa Safe Schools is to: a) improve school climate in order to increase the personal safety, mental health, and student learning of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and allied (LGBTA) and all other students; b) increase awareness and understanding among current and future educators, school administrators, and key community agents of inequities regarding the safety of LGBTA students and their family member(s) in schools and communities throughout Iowa. Iowa Safe Schools also seeks to empower these key actors with effective, research-based tools and strategies to combat intolerance and safety inequities.
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