...removing clear references to race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, age, disability, veteran or military status, marital status, pregnancy, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, or sexual orientation from the district’s anti-discrimination and anti-bullying policies.
This decision sends a dangerous message to students, families, and educators, and weakens the support systems vulnerable youth rely on every day.
🚨 The fight is not over — we need your help! The final vote is August 19th. Keep the pressure on: send a message to the school board and demand they reinstate these critical protections: act.eqfl.org/a/reinstate-... 🚨
We’re grateful to School Board Members Tom Edwards and Liz Barker for their votes against this dangerous proposal. Shame on Bridget Ziegler, Tim Enos, and Robyn Marinelli for choosing politics over student safety.
Huge thanks to the 40+ community members who spoke out during the meeting — an incredible show of people power! We’re so grateful for our partners who stood united against the gutting of these protections:
NAACP Sarasota Chapter, Florida PTA, Public Education Network (PEN) Sarasota, Voices of Florida Fund, Progress Florida, Southern Poverty Law Center, SEE Alliance, Church of the Trinity MCC...
... Sarasota First Congregational United Church of Christ, Suncoast Jewish Alliance, Support Our Schools, Manasota Democratic Public Education Caucus, and Venice Pride.