Tag Archives: Arne Duncan

Not all post-DOMA changes lead to more benefits

There was a flurry of activity among federal agencies this month to issue regulations concerning how they are complying with the U.S. Supreme Court decision striking down the key provision of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). All of them

Gay-straight alliances help LGBT youth, young adults

Gay-straight alliance clubs in middle schools and high schools help youth not only while they are in school, but also later in life, according to a new study.

Federal safe schools office bumped down the org chart

The U.S. Department of Education office once headed by openly gay appointee Kevin Jennings and charged with helping with efforts to stop bullying and harassment of students, including LGBT youth, is now gone–a victim of drastic federal budget cuts.

Schools have right to form GSAs, reminds Department of Education

Schools receiving federal funds must provide equal access to school resources for all student groups, including gay-straight alliances (GSAs), said Secretary of Education Arne Duncan in a "Dear Colleague" letter to educators on June 14.

Jennings leaving, but says White House commitment stays

Kevin Jennings, the openly gay head of the federal office that manages its largest safe-schools and anti-bullying programs, will be leaving the U.S. Department of Education next month. But he said President Obama and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan remain

Fighting without funds: Federal money pulls out of the war on bullying

When Congress and the White House worked out their differences in early April concerning the Fiscal Year 2011 budget, it was clear that some programs important to the LGBT community would take a hit. But the consequences of their final

White House Calls for Coordinated Anti-Bullying Efforts

The White House held a high-visibility conference on bullying prevention March 10, with the President and First Lady calling on parents, teachers, students, and communities to address the problem together.

Fed to schools: Law requires actions against bullying

The U.S. Department of Education is issuing guidance to school officials today (October 26), reminding them that federal law requires schools to take action against bullying—including gender-based and sexual harassment of LGBT students.

Fed grants awarded to begin addressing bullying and safe schools

The U.S. Department of Education announced the awarding of $38.8 million in grants to 11 states from a new Safe and Supportive School program, just days after a media blitz about the bullying-related suicides of five teenagers. But the grants

Bullied to death: New cases shine light on old problem

The string of recent suicides by teens bullied for being gay or perceived to be captured nationwide media attention last week. But what seemed like an emerging new problem for the public at large is not new at all for