Polis reintroduces bill to protect LGBT students
By Chris Johnson on April 18, 2013
http://www.washingtonblade.com/2013/04/18/polis-reintroduces-student-non-discrimination-act-2/The most senior openly gay member of the U.S. House on Thursday introduced legislation to protect LGBT students in public schools from bullying and harassment.
Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colo.), a former chair of the Colorado State Board of Education, announced during a conference call with reporters his plans to reintroduce the Student Non-Discrimination Act in the U.S. House.
"We need to protect kids at school regardless of what adults think about the different ways that people live their lives," Polis said. "Our schools need to be a safe place where everybody can go to learn; nobody should be forced to drop out or not attend school for fear. Education is the right of every student, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity."
Modeled after Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, SNDA establishes LGBT students as a protected class and prohibits schools from discriminating against any student based on actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity, including by allowing bullying against them. According to the LGBT Equality Caucus, the language in the new bill is the same as it has been in previous years.
The bill has bipartisan support right off the bat.
