UMW PRISM

gaywrites:

Michigan Senate Republicans passed a bill yesterday that not only does nothing to aid anti-bullying efforts, but actually gives a “license to bully” based on “moral convictions.” From the Michigan Messenger:

The full language of the insert is: “This section does not prohibit a statement of a sincerely held religious belief or moral conviction of a school employee, school volunteer, pupil, or a pupil and parent or guardian.”

In a floor speech Minority Leader in the Senate Gretchen Whitmer (D-East Lansing) slammed the Republicans over the amended language.

“Here today you claim to be protecting kids and you’re actually putting them in more danger,” Whitmer said. “But bullying is not OK. We should be protecting public policy that protects kids — all kids, from bullies — all bullies. But instead you have set us back further by creating a blueprint for bullying.”

The legislation passed 26-11 (not a single Democrat voted for it) and will now move to the Republican-controlled House. 

I’m furious. How in the hell can these individuals justify telling kids it’s okay to bully as long as there’s a “moral reason” for it? This bill is outlining a way for kids to get away with being vicious and cruel. It’s disrespecting the students who committed suicide because they were bullied and it’s disrespecting those who are tormented every day. What if the people who drove our teenage LGBT friends to suicide last year claimed their homophobic bullying was just a religious statement? Would they be exempt from blame? 

This is an outrage. We cannot let them get away with this. Call Michigan reps and tell them they must vote “no” on this bill, even if you’re not from Michigan. This bill legalizes and practically encourages bullying, and we cannot stand for it. 

There is also a petition on change.org to stop this bill from becoming law.