Issue Position: Protecting Students from Bullying

Issue Position

Our children and students deserve particular vigilance from the government in protecting them from all types of pernicious discrimination. Many LGBT students face daily harassment from their peers and even teachers. This harassment has devastating effects. Recently, a number of gay students or students perceived as being gay have committed suicide following school-based bullying incidents. As a step to help prevent such tragedies in the future, I have again joined with my colleague Rep. Jared Polis to introduce the Student Nondiscrimination Act (H.R. 998). This bill would prohibit public schools from excluding students from participating in, or subjecting students to discrimination under, any federally-assisted educational program on the basis of their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. Any student who has been discriminated against on these grounds can seek recourse in court. The bill is now being considered by the House Education and the Workforce Committee, and I will continue working with my colleagues to make sure that it becomes law.

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