WASHINGTON 鈥� Loudoun County鈥檚 school board could vote as early as next week on whether to add new protections against discrimination and harassment for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students and employees students and employees.
A聽spokesman for the public school system said the school board is expected to take up the issue on聽Tuesday, although it鈥檚 unclear whether a vote will be taken.
In December, the board on whether to adopt a policy that would provide such protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students and staff.
The ACLU-Virginia sent a letter to the county after members of the public and a Virginia lawmaker聽stated at the meeting that the school board did not have the authority to adopt policies that go beyond state and federal laws.
鈥淲e think that鈥檚 good policy,鈥� ACLU-Virginia executive director Claire Guthrie Gasta帽aga told 海角精品黑料. 鈥淲e also think it鈥檚 legally permitted, and, in fact, we believe (that) because of their status as a public body and their obligations to enforce the Constitution, they have an obligation to act.鈥�
Gasta帽aga said the board has the authority and the responsibility to protect students and employees from unconstitutional discrimination based on race, gender, national origin, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity.
鈥淔rankly, the school division needs to decide whether it wants to defend the rights of LGBT students and employees, and stand up for the idea that they should be able to go to school or work in a discrimination-free environment, or kowtow and fold, and send a different message,鈥� she said.
Del. Dave LaRock, R-Loudoun, has been a vocal opponent of the proposed LGBT policies.
In an Op-Ed published in , LaRock wrote: 鈥淢ental and physical health issues which are more prevalent among homosexuals and gender-confused people will open a Pandora鈥檚 box of liability, health insurance, and counseling costs.鈥�
In an interview with 海角精品黑料, LaRock elaborated on how he views bigotry and prejudice.
鈥淲hen people exhibit prejudice and bigotry in making a decision, that鈥檚 not good discrimination, but being able to differentiate between what鈥檚 appropriate or inappropriate is absolutely necessary,鈥� LaRock said.
LaRock said he opposes bigotry and prejudice, but he said the word 鈥渄iscrimination鈥� should be likened to the word 鈥渄ifferentiate.鈥�
鈥淎bsolutely,鈥� he said. 鈥�(School officials) have to be able to discriminate and choose the right people to be teachers and role models in classrooms.鈥�
LaRock was asked if he thinks homosexuals should be employed as teachers in Loudoun County.
鈥淚 look at the science and data that has been assembled that says the homosexual lifestyle has high incidents of things like mental difficulties, mental complications, higher rates of certain diseases,鈥� LaRock said.
鈥淧arents ought to be aware of these sides of this issue and be part of the process of making the decisions of who they want to be role models for their children,鈥� he said.
Gasta帽aga said 鈥渞easonable lawyers can differ鈥� on whether the board is obligated to approve the new protections, but she wouldn鈥檛 rule out the possibility of a lawsuit if the board voted against the new policy.
鈥淲e鈥檙e already in a circumstance where Fairfax County is being sued because they did the right thing and moved forward with a positive policy, and we鈥檝e made clear we will stand beside Fairfax County,鈥� Gasta帽aga said.
Gasta帽aga was referencing聽a lawsuit that sought to overturn protections for gay and transgender students at Fairfax County’s public schools. that in early 2016, a judge overturned an effort to get rid of these protections.
