safe schools

Gay rights groups are celebrating the failure of a signature drive by ultra-conservatives to overturn civil rights protections for California students.

State Sen. Sheila Kuehl (D) - from Santa Monica - is responding to the misleading information being spread about Senate Bill 777.

SB 777 requires the California Department of Education to monitor the way schools adhere to the state's anti-bias laws and specifically mandates the department to ensure the protection of LGBT students.

Right-wing press and leaders of conservative groups say the legislation orders public schools to allow boys and girls to use the same restrooms and locker-rooms.

Virginia Gaffey's 9-year-old daughter was escorted around school by a bodyguard - and eventually transferred to a different school - because of continued harassment from schoolmates in her elementary school.

Speaking to the School Committee, Gaffey (pictured) claimed that Milton Public Schools, in Massachusetts, is failing to teach students about tolerance and diversity,

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed legislation that will require the Department of Education to monitor the way schools adhere to the state's anti-bias laws and specifically mandates the department to ensure the protection of LGBT students.

The Student Civil Rights Act (Senate Bill 777) is making ripples with social conservatives - who fear that progress will ruin their families.

Jane Lynch and Bruce Vilanch in the same film? It's almost too good to be true.

A new film by writer/director Stewart Wade - called Tru Loved - centers on Tru (Najarra Townsend), the straight daughter of a lesbian couple (Alexandra Paul, Cynda Williams) who faces challenges when her family moves from San Francisco to a conservative Southern California suburb.