WASHINGTON - Two years after he was gunned down in a California classroom, 15-year-old Larry King's tragic death could lead to a new federal law to protect gay and lesbian students from harassment.
King's slaying by a fellow classmate has helped to inspire a bill in Congress that would for the first time make it illegal under federal law for public schools to discriminate against students because of their sexual orientation.
Harassment would be considered a form of discrimination under the proposed law.
King's death, which made national headlines and led to vigils in his honor from coast to coast, was a heartbreaking demonstration of why such a law is needed, said the bill's chief sponsor, Rep. Jared Polis, D-Colo. More than 60 other House lawmakers are co-sponsors.
"I absolutely had Larry King in mind and other kids like him" when writing the bill, said Polis, one of only three openly gay members of Congress.