Senate committee fails to adopt amendments protecting LGBT students in education bill

The Task Force expresses disappointment in the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee’s failure last night to include protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) reauthorization bill. The committee failed to adopt amendments aimed at protecting students from bullying and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

LGBT youth should not have to endure discrimination at school while Congress is bogged down in procedural politics. It is not too late for the full Senate to vote on this vital issue when ESEA comes up for a vote. We urge you to take action now by contacting your senators and encouraging them to support protections for LGBT youth.

Task Force Executive Director Rea Carey says:

The epidemic of bullying and harassment in our nation’s schools is a tragedy and an outrage. No student should fear getting beaten up, harassed and tormented while simply trying to get an education. We have a responsibility to ensure all young people are protected from the pervasive bullying, discrimination and abuse that exist in our schools today. The effects from bullying can be profoundly damaging. Parents, educators, policymakers — all of us — need to stand against this unacceptable behavior. We urge the Senate to take action on this critical issue.