Noted dimwit and US Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos has attracted controversy yet again for refusing to oppose discrimination against LGBTQ students.
During her testimony before a House subcommittee on March 26, DeVos repeatedly stated that schools would not discriminate based on “race, religion, and national origin.” Her careful wording prodded Congressman Mark Pocan–one of the few out-gay members of the legislature–to confront DeVos’ omission of sexual orientation and gender identity head-on.
“I noted you never mentioned sexual orientation or gender identity,” Pocan observed. “Do you think it’s alright for a school to discriminate based on someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity?”
Related: Betsy Devos: If states want to discriminate against LGBTQ students, that’s fine by me
“We have laws that cover discriminatory efforts, and our office for civil rights has continued to be very diligent in investigating any allegation of discrimination and will continue to do so,” DeVos said. When Pocan prodded her again to address the issues of sexual orientation and gender identity, DeVos again punted: “We follow the law as this body has defined.”
It’s worth noting that current federal statutes do not ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, and that DeVos has her own history of homophobia. The Trump administration, for its part, has shown open hostility towards the queer community, especially transgender people. Under DeVos’ tenure, the administration has ended protections for LGBTQ students which the Obama administration had provided under Title IX, and ceased investigations of discrimination against transgender students.
Human Rights Campaign director of government affairs David Stacey slammed DeVos’ position: “From day one of this administration, Betsy DeVos has undermined the safety, dignity, and civil rights of LGBTQ students,” he said in a statement. “Sadly, it is not the least surprising that the Secretary of Education is unwilling to give a direct answer on whether or not she thinks discrimination against students based on their sexual orientation or gender identity is wrong. Regardless of what her view of the state of current law is, this should be an easy answer for any adult who believes no child should feel unsafe or unwelcome in their schools and communities.”
DCguy
The Republican party platform has a section opposing LGBT rights. The party is based upon bigotry, so no surprise that a member of that party is a bigot.
Countdown to all of the phony Trump Troll accounts coming in here to claim that bigotry, hatred, and trying to attack and harm others is merely a “Different political opinion”, and not letting them hurt LGBT people means WE’RE the REAL bullies. (Eye Roll)
truthseeker
They trounce this woman out every few months and ask her the same question. If Democrats cared so much about this, they could create a bill expanding the definitions in the Civil Rights Act. It’s not up to the Dept. of Education to make laws, it’s not up to the Executive branch to make laws. It is up to the legislative branch. Democrats have had majority control of the House several times and currently hold that power but no one is putting forth a bill in regards to this.
Instead, they’ll gasp when firing gotcha questions this woman when she merely says that they follow the law as it’s sadly presented. If Democrats want this changed, what’s stopping them? If they present a bill that is shot down by Republicans then they would have basis for outrage.
It was Republicans in Wisconsin who actually banned discrimination against gays. Plus, Donald Trump has even said in the past that Congress should expand civil rights to extend to gays and lesbians in regards to discrimination.
Even the Democrats running in 2020 have been silent on extending this law. All they’ve cried about so far is free money (basic income and reparations – i.e. Warren, Harris, Booker, Sanders, Yang). So if Democrats are mad at current laws, change them
charlietex
@truthseeker. The Democrats in Congress are doing exactly that. They won’t get Republican support and the president won’t sign it but they are trying and they have tried before always in the face of Republican opposition. So I’m not quite sure where you’re coming from except the supposed facts that you are stating a false set of facts. And if Republicans wanted to when they had the majority of the house the Senate and the president they could have done so. Also to state that the president does not legislate means the president probably shouldn’t be making emergency declarations to build his wall.
truthseeker
@charlietex
No they aren’t. If they are, then tell me which Democrat has sponsored a bill to extend civil rights protections and worked to bring it to the House floor for a vote. You can’t answer that because there isn’t one.
Democrats brought numerous pieces of legislation to the House floor in 2019 and not 1 was to extend civil rights protections in school or the work place. Nearly every piece of legislation has been to limit the power of the executive branch. They could’ve even done this in in 2007 – 2011 when they had majority power but didn’t. Government departments can’t make up their own laws, they follow laws created by the legislative branch that are signed by the President.
The right to declare a national emergency was given to the executive branch from the legislative branch. Don’t they teach the 3 branches of government in school anymore?
DCguy
@truthseeker
Awwwww, how adorable, the right wing troll account is trying to say that nothing is the bigots fault because other people aren’t trying hard enough to stop the bigot from being a bigot.
Let me guess, your next post will be “Well they deserved to get raped because they didn’t scream “No” loud enough”.
Hey Queerty, Again, the anti-LGBT troll accounts that continually defend bigotry are getting a little tiresome.
Kieru
@truthseeker – You’re a really bad troll but to answer your question: Equality Act.
First introduced in 2015 by Representative David Cicilline (D, RI) where it never made it out of a GOP-controlled committee. It has recently been reintroduced (as of this month) by the same representative along with 239 other co-sponsors, only 2 of whom are Republican. Given that the House is majority-controlled by Democrats and it has overwhelming support it will likely pass committee and then be submitted to the Senate where it will languish. Certainly Donald Trump will never sign it into law.
But to say that Democrats aren’t doing anything is sheer ignorance.
judysdad
I think the writer meant to say LGB people, not queers.
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
The joke is going to be so on these vile of noxious horrible mean-spirited conservative scumbags.they cause harm to children children who are bullied children who commit suicide because they don’t get support and some schools actually allow this garbage to go on and they refused to offer protections for these children.
When they burn out their vile mortal coils and approach the Gates of heaven st. Peter would advise him that because of the horrible mean-spirited way they live their lives there ticket to hell has already been processed procures and punched and they will be spend eternity in the bowels of Hell burning and agony
jcoberkrom
Poor Betsy, she assumes everyone should function her white privileged position.
If only she lived in the real world.
Creamsicle
Didn’t this happen a year ago?
mzvky
Is anyone surprised by this? From Batsy DeVoss, of all Trump’s annointed Nut-Jobs? Or the Right Wings Trolls like @truthseeker who lamely try to sow discontent with Democrats in the LGBTQ community? I resent having to share this planet’s oxygen with these people. And I wouldn’t waste good piss on them if they were on fire. I remember what it was like to be a reasonable person. Not anymore. When our revenge comes it will be absolute. They have unleashed a terrible madness on the land… and will pay the price.
gingered1970
What a low life