I've always stated how much I love the current mayor of New York, David Patterson. Now I have another reason to continue to name him greatest governor ever. Today Gov. Patterson signed into law the Dignity for All Students Law. The new law is an antibully bill aimed at making schools safe for students.

Gov. Patterson stated "Every student has the right to a safe and civil educational environment, but far too often young people are ruthlessly targeted by bullies. Bullying and harassment have disrupted the education of too many young people, and we in government have a responsibility to do our part to create learning environments that help our children prosper."

The law will not take effect until 2012 but once in action it will ban harassment and discrimination under several different classifications, including, but not limited to, the student's actual or perceived "race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender or sex."

Hopefully the passage of this legislation will help make schools of New York a better place for LGBT kids. Last year we had two eleven year old kids take their own life to they would not have to endure anti-gay harrasment from their peers. Stories like that are disheartening but all too real and occur way too often. No child should have to suffer through situations like these and schools should do more to create an environment free of this behaviour. Laws like this will help.

Governor Patterson has a tremondous track record of doing things to help the LGBT community. Although some of his most tremendous efforts have proven unsuccesful (like his push to bring same-gender marriage to his state) you have to applaud his courage to bring unpopular issues to forefront of New York politics. Kudos to Patterson and kudos on this law.