After a long and contentious meeting, the Brevard County School Board voted 3-2 Tuesday afternoon to include the words "sexual orientation and gender identity" in its anti-discrimination policy.

  • Brevard Schools to add LGBT protections to anti-discrimination policy
  • Harassment based on 'sexual orientation, gender identity' to be banned
  • Florida law doesn't require the language in policy

 “It feels incredible. All the kids will finally be protected," said Cyndi Sweet, the mother of an LGBT student. "They were the most bullied, and I feel like they can finally move forward and tell people they’re being bullied.”

Hundreds packed the meeting in Viera, and more than 70 signed up to speak for and against changing the school system's policy. Proponents wanted to include the words "sexual orientation and gender identity," but opponents said the policy works the way it is.

"Your policy should address bullying for all students, not just a select group," one speaker at the meeting said.

School Board policy currently prohibits harassment against students, teachers and employees based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin and more. It also states the same for sex — but proponents of the LGBT community want the policy also to include sexual orientation, transgender status or gender identity.

 “I have shed tears. I have been drained emotionally, lost a lot of sleep and gone way outside my comfort zone, but it was completely worth it to get it passed,” Brevard student Rowan Craig said.

Astronaut High teacher Dan Desousa, a two-time teacher of the year in Brevard, urged the School Board to make the change.

"I ask you today, if you vote 'no,' then you look at me sitting here, and tell your employees that you do not want to protect me," Desousa said.

Opponents of the change expressed concerns over transgender students using the bathroom or locker room of their choice.

Florida law does not require the School Board to change the policy's language.

"I'm proud of who I am. I've been this way my entire life," Desousa said.

There are 14 Florida school districts that have adopted a similar policy.