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Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann dismissed a constituent's question about the rash of anti-gay school bullying in her Minnesota district: It's a matter of state's rights, the candidate said at a weekend campaign rally in California, reports CBS News.
Alex Limon says he came to a Michele Bachmann rally here for one reason: To ask the Republican presidential candidate what she intends to do about school bullying in her district that reportedly targets gays. He got to ask his question, but he didn't get a lengthy answer. "That's not a federal issue," Bachmann said, before moving on to the shake the hand of the next person waiting to speak to her.
The federal government and a growing number of civil rights and education advocates say otherwise, reports the Washington Blade.
Over the past two years, nine youths have committed suicide in the Anoka-Hennepin school district, the largest in Minnesota. At least four suicide victims were victims of bullying because they were gay or perceived to be gay.
In July, the National Center for Lesbian Rights and the Southern Poverty Law Center filed a lawsuit against the district on behalf of students who say they experienced harassment and violence as a result of an anti-gay environment. The Education and Justice departments are also investigating the district over the issue. ...
Additionally, the White House held a bullying summit in March. Next week, the Education Department is hosting its second annual bullying prevention summit at the Washington Hilton Hotel in D.C.
Bachmann's dismissive remarks came only one day after the mother of a gay teen who committed suicide in her district met with campaign staffers to urge the lawmaker to speak out against bullying, reported The Advocate. The campaign says Bachmann will "review" the issue. Priorities, priorities
