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Title: Transphobia Still Rampant, At Least Anti-Bullying Bills Include Gender Identity
Post by: Shana A on October 08, 2010, 08:06:52 PM
Transphobia Still Rampant, At Least Anti-Bullying Bills Include Gender Identity

October 8, 2010
posted by Sarah

http://www.autostraddle.com/transphobia-still-rampant-at-least-anti-bullying-bills-include-gender-identity-62090/ (http://www.autostraddle.com/transphobia-still-rampant-at-least-anti-bullying-bills-include-gender-identity-62090/)

U.S. Senators have begun to respond to the recent rash of bullying-related suicides in the LGBT community, and gender identity made it into the first draft of the bills. Color us shocked, but proud.

On a day filled with sad news for the trans community, it's slightly comforting to realize that legislatures are including gender identity in some new anti-bullying measures. U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg, of New Jersey, has announced that he will introduce anti-harassment legislation in November in response to the recent rash of suicides. Tyler Clementi's suicide at Rutgers in New Jersey is the driving force behind this bill. Here's what a press release from Lautenberg's office has to say about the legislation:

[The legislation] will require colleges to create policies prohibiting the harassment of any student. The bill would also provide funding for schools to establish programs to deter harassment of students, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) college students.