[iDiversity] Federal LGBT student discrimination bill introduced

[Cynthia del Rosario]

From: On Behalf Of Anselmo Villanueva

Federal LGBT student discrimination bill introduced

Originally printed 2/4/2010 (Issue 1805 - Between The Lines News)

WASHINGTON, D.C. - A bill was introduced Jan. 27 in the House by Rep. Jared
Polis (D-Colo.) that would, as Title IX did for girls and women, offer
remedies for discrimination "based on actual or perceived sexual orientation
or gender identity" in public elementary and secondary schools. The Student
Non-Discrimination Act will help to end entrenched biases towards lesbian,
gay, bisexual and transgender students in the nation's education system.

"Every day, innocent students fall victim to relentless harassment and
discrimination from teachers, staff and fellow students based on their
sexual orientation," said Polis in a statement. "These actions not only hurt
our students and our schools but, left unchecked, can also lead to
life-threatening violence.

"Like Title VI for minorities in the '60s and Title IX for women in the
'70s, my legislation puts LGBT students on an equal footing with their
peers, so they can attend school and get a quality education, free from fear."

The American Civil Liberties Union also strongly supports the bill and urged
swift action by the House.

"This landmark bill is long overdue. Many LGBT students face harassment,
discrimination and sometimes violence in our schools," said ACLU Senior
Legislative Counsel Christopher Anders. "Our public schools should not be
places of exclusion, but places where students feel safe and free from
discrimination. The Student Non-Discrimination Act will go a long way toward
protecting LGBT students and will help promote a better learning
environment. We urge the House to take swift action on this bill."

http://www.pridesource.com/article.html?article=39893

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http://www.hrc.org/14041.htm

Student Non-Discrimination Act of 2010 Introduced in U.S. House

Measure would prohibit discrimination against public school students on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.

1/27/2010

Washington - The Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, applauded today the introduction of the Student Non-discrimination Act of 2010 (SNDA), H.R. 4530, which would prohibit discrimination against any public school student on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.  In addition, the SNDA prevents discrimination against any public school student because of the actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity of a person with whom that the student associates or has associated.  The bi-partisan SNDA was introduced by Congressman Jared Polis (D-CO) and has 60 co-sponsors.

"Hatred has no place in the classroom," said Congressman Polis.  "Every student has the right to an education free from harassment and violence.  This bill will protect the individual freedoms of our students and enshrine the values of equality and opportunity in our classrooms."

Discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity contributes to high rates of absenteeism, dropout, adverse health consequences, and academic under achievement among LGBT youth. When left unchecked, such discrimination can lead, and has led to, life-threatening violence and suicide.

"Our public schools are mandated to support all students in their pursuit of academic achievement and social stability.  LGBT students have historically been alienated, harassed, and bullied in their schools,  with little or no intervention from school personnel.  And far too many have underperformed or 'dropped out' in response to the lack of safety and support," said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese.  "No student should have to be fearful when walking through the doors of their school, and this legislation would require immediate and appropriate action to stop the discrimination that our youth have endured for far too long."

Federal statutory and/or constitutional protections expressly address discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex and disability, but do not expressly address sexual orientation or gender identity.  As a result, students and parents have limited legal recourse to redress for discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.

The SNDA is closely modeled after title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. §§ 1681-1688), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex and provides legal recourse to redress such discrimination.

The SNDA is has broad support from over 15 civil rights and education organizations, including: The American Association of University Women, American Civil Liberties Union, American Counseling Association, Gay-Straight Alliance Network, GLAD (Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders), GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network), Human Rights Campaign, Lambda Legal, National Association of School Psychologists, National Association of Secondary School Principals, National Center for Lesbian Rights,  National Center for Transgender Equality, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund, National Women's Law Center, School Social Work Association of America, and Transgender Law Center.

The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

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http://polis.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=167989

Polis Seeks to Protect LGBT Students from Discrimination in Schools through Introduction of Student Non-Discrimination Act

Washington, D.C. - Jan 27 -  Congressman Jared Polis (D-CO), a leading proponent of equality in education, today introduced historic legislation-H. R. 4530, the Student Non-Discrimination Act (SNDA)-that would protect Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) students by establishing a comprehensive Federal prohibition of discrimination in public schools based on actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity and provide victims with meaningful and effective remedies.  Thus far, SNDA has 60 original co-sponsors.

"Every day innocent students fall victim to relentless harassment and discrimination from teachers, staff, and fellow students based on their sexual orientation," said Polis.  "These actions not only hurt our students and our schools but, left unchecked, can also lead to life-threatening violence.  Like Title VI for minorities in the 60s and Title IX for women in the 70s, my legislation puts LGBT students on an equal footing with their peers, so they can attend school and get a quality education, free from fear."

While Federal civil rights statutes expressly address discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, disability or national origin, they do not explicitly include sexual orientation or gender identity and, as a result, LGBT students and parents have often had limited legal recourse for this kind of discrimination.  By establishing a comprehensive Federal prohibition of discrimination in public schools based on actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity and empowering victims with meaningful and effective remedies (loss of federal funding and legal cause of action for victims) for discrimination, SNDA represents an enormous step toward safe public schools for all kids, regardless of their gender identity and sexual orientation.

"Hatred has no place in the classroom," said Polis.  "Every student has the right to an education free from harassment and violence.  This bill will protect the individual freedoms of our students and enshrine the values of equality and opportunity in our classrooms."

Polis, a member of the House Education and Labor Committee and Co-Chairman of the House LGBT Equality Caucus, is a former chairman of the Colorado State Board of Education and has founded and served as the superintendent of charter schools serving at-risk student populations.

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