From: "Ellen McCormick" Subject: AB 101 PASSES FIRST COMMITTEE Date: Tue, 18 Mar 1997 18:02:39 -0800 March 18, 1997 For Immediate Release Contacts: Ellen McCormick, Legislative Advocate Laurie McBride, Executive Director (916) 444-0424 AB 101 - THE DIGNITY FOR ALL STUDENTS ACT PASSES FIRST COMMITTEE AB 101, the Dignity for All Students Act, passed the Assembly Higher Education Committee today by a vote of 8 - 6 (one abstention). The legislation would prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation in California's public schools. Discussion centered primarily on armed forces training unit issues, affirmative action issues, and school facility use. The author, Assembly Member Sheila Kuehl (D - Santa Monica), accepted amendments clarifying the measure with regard to all three issues. "The intent of the bill is not to infringe on anyone's freedom of speech or right to assemble," said Ellen McCormick, Legislative Advocate for LIFE: California's Lesbian/Gay and AIDS Lobby, "the intent of the AB 101 is to stop rampant physical and verbal assault of gay and lesbian students in our public schools, the amendments taken today do no more than reaffirm current law and the intent of AB 101." "We are ecstatic at today's outcome," said Laurie McBride, LIFE Lobby Executive Director, "the radical right, with all of their rhetoric and hateful misinterpretation of the bill were not able to prevail as they did in 1996. We are confident that this bill is sound public policy and in this new climate - is finally being recognized as such." AB 101 will be heard next by the Assembly Education Committee in early April. LIFE Lobby urges individuals to write to the committee immediately to express support for this important legislation. Letters to the Assembly Education Committee should be addressed to: Assembly Member Kerry Mazzoni Chair, Assembly Education Committee State Capitol, Room 3123 Sacramento, CA 95814 Final Vote Count: 8-6 Ted Lempert, Chair (D-Palo Alto) Yes Brooks Firestone, Vice Chair (R-Santa Barbara) No Dick Ackerman (R-Fullerton) No Roy Ashburn (R-Bakersfield) No Steve Baldwin (R-La Mesa) No Debra Bowen (D-Torrance) Yes Louis Caldera (D-Los Angeles) Yes Dennis Cardoza (D-Turlock) No Jim Cuneen (R-Campbell) Yes Sally Havice (D-Artesia) No Fred Keeley (D-Santa Cruz) Yes Wally Knox (D-Los Angeles) Yes Sheila Kuehl (D-Santa Monica) Yes Steve Kuykendall (R-Long Beach) Abstention Jack Scott (D-Pasadena) Yes ### LIFE: California's Lesbian/Gay and AIDS Lobby has been lobbying on behalf of California's lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and HIV-affected communities since 1986. LIFE is the oldest and largest institution representing these communities in California's State Capitol and is proud to celebrate a decade of service. For further information on AB 101 or any other gay/lesbian or HIV-related issue please contact LIFE Lobby at (916) 444-0424. LIFE Lobby 926 J Street, Suite 522 Sacramento, CA 95814