Keep Harassment Out of Schools

What happens when students are not legally protected from bullying and harassment based on their sexual orientation or gender identity?

• A school in Mississippi cancelled its annual senior prom rather than allow a lesbian student to bring her girlfriend.
• An elementary school student asked a teacher to stop a schoolyard dodgeball game called "Smear the Queer;" the teacher responded by declaring the student be the "queer" for the day, upon which other students launched balls at him, reminiscent of a stoning.

But we have a chance to fix this loophole in the law and make sure our schools provide a safe learning environment for all kids.

Tell your Senators that the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) renewal bill must outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation.

The Senate is working on this major school reform bill right now. It is essential that ESEA includes the Student Non-Discrimination Act (SNDA), to outlaw discrimination in public K-12 schools based on sexual orientation or gender identity/expression.

Students who are or are perceived to be lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT), are especially at risk for bullying and harassment in school, which can have a devastating impact on LGBT students. Bullying and harassment can lead to adverse health consequences, lowered academic performance and increased absenteeism and dropout. Gay and lesbian teens in the U.S. are more likely than straight students to be punished at schools, and girls are especially at risk.

Act Now — Tell the Senate to close a dangerous gap in the law and include the Student Non-Discrimination Act in the upcoming school reform bill.

LGBT students deserve the same protections that current law provides to students discriminated against based on race, color, national origin, sex, and disability.