School Legislation and LGBT Teens

Bullying is extremely detrimental to the mental, and sometimes physical, health of it's victims. That increases even more with LGBT teens. They suffer from an increased risk of depression, anxiety, and suicide attempts. School doesn’t only feel unsafe – though that’s the experience of 71% of rural and 62% of suburban kids. School is unsafe for nearly one of five, who have been physically assaulted.

There aren't many schools that have legislation in place to help these students either. However there are two bills that are expected to be reintroduced. Both bills amend existing law. First, the Safe Schools Improvement Act (SSIA) would amend the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act. It would require federally-funded schools to prohibit bullying on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. It would also require states to report cases of bullying to the Department of Education. The second bill is the Student Non-Discrimination Act (SDNA). It is modeled on Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex. Likewise, the SDNA would prohibit discrimination on the basis of perceived sexual orientation and gender identity. But both bills have failed before.

There’s reason to believe legislation could help fix the public health problem. Not only do most states not protect LGBT students, but some states have statutes or policies that staff must “remain neutral on matters regarding sexual orientation.” But these neutrality policies are often only neutral in name. Recently, Tennessee’s ‘neutrality’ policy resurfaced. Commonly known as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, the proposed bill would ban any discussion of homosexuality – except, in its latest incarnation, for teachers who must report suspected homosexuality to a student’s parents. Even though the bill’s official title is the “Classroom Protection Act,” it’s obvious that the bill would subject LGBT teens to increased stigma, social isolation, and eliminate safe pathways to report harassment.

It's time to step up. Students who don't feel safe going to school won't go to school, or won't do as well while there they're because they're always going to be looking over their shoulder. Every state should have legislation protecting a student's rights to an education in a safe environment. Likewise, they should be more strongly reprimanded when they're caught bullying. Acting is the key to prevention. 


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