Wake schools considers adding 'sexual orientation' to discrimination policy

The current policy prohibits discrimination based on a variety of factors, including race, religion and disability.

Adding sexual orientation is part of an effort by Wake schools to streamline its policies, most of which have been changed to align with recommendations from the North Carolina School Boards Association. The association does not include sexual orientation in their discrimination policy.

Sexual orientation is already included in the district’s bullying and harassment policies, but adding it to the discrimination policy is long overdue, Wake County school board member Jim Martin said.

“Sexual orientation is something people have become more aware of,” he said. “It has been something that we have been cognizant about with regard to bullying aspects for many, many years, and it is time to go ahead and put it in policy.”

Board members have not said when they will vote on the addition.