Texas A&M Student Body President Vetoes Bill To Defund LGBT Center

[Tx4obama]

Texas A&M Student Body President Vetoes Bill To Defund LGBT Center

John Claybrook, Student Body President at Texas A&M University, has vetoed a bill passed by the student senate that would allow students to opt out of funding campus services if they have religious objects. Until it was revised at Wednesday night’s meeting, the bill specifically targeted the university’s GLBT Resource Center. Claybrook explained his veto in an open letter:

After much research and deliberation, I have confidently decided to veto S.B. 65-70, The Religious Funding Exemption bill. Even without the wording that specified particular groups that would be affected in the final version of this bill, the sentiment towards the bill has not changed and has caused great harm to our reputation as a student body and to the students feeling disenfranchised by the bill. (...)

Although much adjusted in its final form, the good accomplished through this bill pales in comparison to the damage done. The damage must stop today. Texas A&M students represent our core value of respect exceptionally and I’m very proud of the family at this university. Now, more than ever, is the time to show great resolve and come together, treating each other like the family that we are.

-snip-

Full article here: http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2013/04/05/1829031/texas-am-student-body-president-vetoes-bill-to-defund-lgbt-center/

[Scuba]

1. Good on you, Mr. Claybrook!

[Still Sensible]

2. They obviously elected a smart and good student body president. n/t

[winterpark]

4. And he'll be voted out next time. Unfortunately n/t

[www.YouthAllies.com]

3. Lots of good news from TX this week

Good stuff. Indeed, lots of good news from Texas this week! This student's veto; anti-gay amendment withdrawn in legislature; transgender student allowed to wear dress to prom... More thoughts here: http://www.youthallies.com/good-news-lgbt-youth-texas-zedler-prom/ (The link mentions all three news items, but in particular covers some misconceptions about Zedler bill) - Mike (www.youthallies.com)

[tammywammy]

5. k&r n/t

[LeftInTX]

6. Finally, a bit of good news this week