The father of a high school student in Nixon, Texas, says his son is being bullied after his teacher falsely told the student’s classmates that the student is gay and uses his girlfriend to cover it up, WOAI-TV is reporting. The father says his son is not gay. The boy attends Nixon-Smiley High School which…
Attorney Says Local High School Student Beaten Up and Bullied for Being Gay
Originally published in the San Antonio Current. A quick Snapchat video taken last week shows a Louis D. Brandeis High School student being beaten up on a bus. The victim said he was targeted for his sexual orientation. Three students are facing disciplinary action. Northside I.S.D. officials are continuing to investigate the incident to determine…
David’s Law Ready for Governor’s Signature
A law aimed at preventing and combating cyber-bullying is headed to Texas Governor Greg Abbot’s desk after receiving a majority of votes in the House of Representatives and an unanimous vote in the Texas Senate. The new measure, Senate Bill 179, is dubbed David’s Law after David Molak, a 16-year-old Alamo Heights High School student…
Texas Senate Passes Anti-Bullying Bill Named for SA Student
The Texas Senate unanimously approved Senate Bill 179, legislation that cracks down on bullying in the state’s public schools. SB 179 was introduced in the Senate by State Senator Jose Menendez. In January, Menendez called for the passage of the bill saying, “Cyberbullying is a crisis in Texas and across the nation. Families need our…
Calls to Pass Cyberbullying Law on Anniversary of Student’s Death
Two San Antonio lawmakers are calling for the passage of an anti-bullying law named in honor of David Bartlett Molak, a 16-year-old Alamo Heights High School student who one year ago committed suicide after being bullied by classmates on social media over his physical appearance. To mark the first anniversary of Molak’s passing, State Senator…
Texas Judge Halts Federal Transgender Protections
A federal judge in Texas issued a temporary injunction on December 31 against efforts by the Obama administration intended to ban transgender discrimination by hospitals, the Texas Tribune reports. U.S District Judge Reed O’Connor sided with Texas, along with the religious hospital network Franciscan Alliance and four other Republican-led states, in a lawsuit that claimed…
SA Lawmakers File Anti-Bullying Law
On November 14, State Senator Jose Menendez and State Representative Ina Minjarez will introduce a law aimed at preventing and combating cyber-bullying. The bill is being filed on the first day legislation can be introduced for consideration by the 85th session of the Texas Legislature. The new measure, dubbed David’s Law, is named after David…
How Would Texas’ Cyberbullying Law Navigate the Murky Waters of Free Speech?
Originally published in the San Antonio Current Senator José Menéndez will have to bridge a tough line in his proposal to make cyberbullying a crime — one that balances the First Amendment rights of students with his attempt to crack down on online harassment. The proposed legislation is called “David’s Law.” It’s named after 16-year-old…
Top Ten SA Schools With Most Bullying Complaints
A report published on August 22 in the San Antonio Express-News reveals there were 777 claims of bullying and harassment in San Antonio area schools during the 2014-2015 school year. The list was compiled from information the Express-News obtained under the Texas open records law. Seventeen school districts representing almost 200 schools were tallied. While…
Texas Judge Issues Injunction Against Protections for Trans Students
Originally published in the San Antonio Current. A federal judge in Fort Worth ruled late Sunday that conservative states that oppose allowing trans kids in public schools to use the bathroom that corresponds with their gender identity won’t face punishment for maintaining the status quo. U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor issued a nationwide injunction stopping…