SDGLN Staff
WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama on Friday declared his support
for two bills that would protect students from bullying, then
screening "Bully" the acclaimed documentary at the White House.
"The President and his Administration have taken many steps to address
the issue of bullying. He is proud to support the Student
Non-Discrimination Act [SNDA], introduced by Senator [Al] Franken and
Congressman [Jared] Polis, and the Safe Schools Improvement Act
[SSIA], introduced by Senator [Robert] Casey and Congresswoman Linda
Sanchez. These bills will help ensure that all students are safe and
healthy and can learn in environments free from discrimination,
bullying and harassment," the White House said in a statement.
Each bill takes a different approach to address bullying. SNDA would
ban harassment in public schools based on a student's actual or
perceived LGBT status. SSIA would require schools to adopt
anti-bullying codes of conduct and submit data to the Department of
Education on bullying.
Obama's announcement coincided with the Gay, Lesbian and Straight
Education Network's (GLSEN) 17th annual Day of Silence, held Friday
this year, in which students take a vow of silence to draw attention
to the anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying and harassment in schools.
"Bully" was shown at the White House on the day the documentary
expanded its screening sites around the country.
"Earlier today, we screened 'Bully' at the White House," Valerie
Jarrett, senior staff to Obama, said in a statement. "This film is a
powerful call to action: We must do everything we can to work toward
the day when no young person or family suffers the pain, agony, and
loss caused by bulling in our schools and communities.
"In the last few years, President Obama and his Administration have
taken significant steps towards this goal. We also hope that Congress
will take action to ensure that all students are safe and healthy and
can learn in environments free from discrimination, bullying, and
harassment by passing the Student Non-Discrimination Act (SNDA) and
the Safe Schools Improvement Act (SSIA). These pieces of legislation
are critically important to addressing bullying in our schools and
safeguarding our most vulnerable students," she said.
About 150 people attended the screening of "Bully" at the White House,
including director Lee Hirsch and many of the families and children
who shared their stories in the documentary. Leaders of groups such as
GLSEN, National Coalition for Learning Disabilities, Facing History,
ACLU and Change.org also attended.
Obama's support for anti-bullying measures quickly drew praise,
including from The Trevor Project, which provides crisis intervention
and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ youth under age 24.
"The White House took a meaningful step in protecting all students,
regardless of real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity,
by endorsing the Safe Schools Improvement Act and the Student
Non-Discrimination Act. Together, these pieces of legislation provide
tools and resources for schools and universities to protect our youth
from harassment and bullying and establish structures for safety,
prevention, and support," said Abbe Land, executive director and CEO
of The Trevor Project.
"At The Trevor Project, we know that young people who are at risk to
harm themselves, including attempting suicide, are less likely to do
so if they know of one resource that they can safely turn to in times
of crisis. By endorsing these important pieces of legislation, the
Obama Administration is sending a strong message to ensure every
school and university has the support and responsibility to be a
life-saving, life-affirming resource."
Mara Keisling, executive director of National Center for Transgender
Equality, also welcomed the President's support.
"These two safe schools bills are just tremendously important to trans
youth and President Obama's endorsement is another example of his
broad commitment to trans people and trans issues. We are thankful to
Senators Al Franken and Bob Casey and Representatives Jared Polis and
Linda Sanchez for their leadership on these issues. According to the
National Transgender Discrimination Survey, trans and gender
nonconforming young people face startling amounts of harassment,
assault and sexual violence at school, with more extreme rates of
harassment and violence among trans youth of color. Trans kids are
hurting and we have a way to stop that. Congress must act quickly to
protect our transgender young people," Keisling said.
Hayley Gorenberg, deputy legal director of Lambda Legal, was thrilled
with the news.
"We applaud the Obama administration for endorsing this critical piece
of legislation. We thank Sen. Al Franken, Rep. Jared Polis, Rep.
Barney Frank and Rep. Tammy Baldwin and over 50 other current sponsors
for their leadership on this bill and we urge Congress to pass it,"
she said.
"At Lambda Legal, we've encountered extraordinary cases of violence
and discrimination against LGBT young people in schools - and
sometimes against the allies who try to support them. The Student
Non-Discrimination Act takes a big step toward a safer and healthier
environment in every public school," Gorenberg said.
"Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students have long been at a
significant disadvantage without specific protection under federal
law. All students have a right to a safe learning environment, and
this law will leave no doubt as to public schools' responsibility to
provide it."
Joe Solmonese, HRC's outgoing president, also commented.
"The President's endorsement of the SNDA and SSIA recognizes the
importance of providing LGBT students with the same civil rights
protections as other students," Solmonese said. "No student should
feel scared when walking into their school and these bills would
address the discrimination and bullying that our youth have endured
for far too long."
--
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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