Bill protecting LGBT students introduced in House
By Ruth Schneider, 365gay.com
01.29.2010
Colorado Democrat and openly gay Congressman Jared Polis introduced the Student Non-Discrimination Act of 2010 in the House of Representatives on Thursday. The bill would protect public school students from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.
“Hatred has no place in the classroom,” Polis said in a news release posted on his Web site. “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, co-chairman of the House LGBT Equality Caucus, is a strong proponent of equality in education.
SNDA would provide protections for LGBT students and ensure that all students are free from discrimination, harassment, bullying, intimidation and violence in schools.
“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.”
Similar to Title IX, the legislation would endanger federal funding for those who violate it. There are currently 60 co-sponsors of the legislation.
