By Chris Johnson
Washington Blade
A group of 70 organizations is asking President Obama to build on his
work against bullying in schools by endorsing legislation pending in
Congress that would prohibit harassment of LGBT students.
In a letter dated March 7, the groups ask Obama to endorse the Student
Non-Discrimination Act, or SNDA, which would prohibit and harassment
in public elementary and secondary schools based on a student's actual
or perceived LGBT status. No federal law explicitly prohibits
harassment against LGBT students in school.
"SNDA would provide lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender ("LGBT")
students with long overdue and much needed explicit federal
protections against discrimination and harassment," the letter states.
"The legislation also protects students who associate with LGBT
people, including students with LGBT parents and friends."
The organizations — led by the American Civil Liberties Union —
include LGBT groups such as the Human Rights Campaign, Lambda Legal
and the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network, or GLSEN, as well
as other groups, such as the American Psychological Association, the
Feminist Majority and the Southern Poverty Law Center. Religious
groups, such as the Episcopal Church, the Methodist Church and the
United Church of Christ also signed the letter.
Obama has said he's committed to combatting bullying and harassment in
schools, but has yet to endorse legislation that would explicitly
prohibit the bullying of LGBT students.
The letter asks Obama to endorse SNDA so that it has the same level of
support from the White House as other pro-LGBT bills, such as the
Respect for Marriage Act, which Obama endorsed in June, or the
Employment Non-Discrimination Act.
"An endorsement of the Student Non-Discrimination Act would likewise
be a clarion call for equality in our schools and better protections
for vulnerable children," the letter states. "And more importantly, it
would make clear to all Members of Congress what the administration
views as a necessary federal legislative solution to the serious
problem of anti-LGBT discrimination and harassment in our nation's
public schools."
Groups send the letter to Obama ahead of March 10, which will mark the
anniversary of the anti-bullying summit held at the White House in
2011. The event was seen as the hallmark effort of Obama's commitment
to combat bullying in schools.
Ian Thompson, the ACLU's legislative representative, said an
announcement in support of SNDA on the anniversary of the
anti-bullying summit would have significant impact.
"An endorsement by the administration on the anniversary of the White
House Conference on Bullying Prevention would be a powerful statement
from the administration that all students are entitled to an education
unhindered by discrimination and harassment," Thompson said.
Other anti-bullying efforts the administration has undertaken include
holding the first-ever federal LGBT youth summit in June and issuing
guidance informing schools they may be violation of federal laws
protecting students from harassment on the basis of gender by allowing
anti-gay bullying. Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and other
administration officials have also appeared in "It Gets Better"
videos.
Just this week, the Departments of Justice and Education, together
with six private plaintiffs and the Anoka-Hennepin School District in
Minnesota, came to an agreement on a consent decree to resolve alleged
bullying and harassment of students who weren't conforming to gender
stereotypes.
Shin Inouye, a White House spokesperson, said Obama supports the goals
of the SNDA, didn't offer full-throated support of the bill.
--
Together, we can change the world, one mind at a time.
Have a great day,
Tommy
--
Together, we can change the world, one mind at a time.
Have a great day,
Tommy
--
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