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A project of Common Dreams

For Immediate Release
Contact:

Mandy Simon, (202) 675-2312; media@dcaclu.org

House Introduces Bill To Protect LGBT Students Against Discrimination

A bill was introduced today in the House by Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO)
that would, as Title IX did for girls and women, offer remedies for
discrimination "based on actual or perceived sexual orientation or
gender identity" in public elementary and secondary schools. The
Student Non-Discrimination Act will help to end entrenched biases
towards lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students in our
education system.

WASHINGTON

A bill was introduced today in the House by Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO)
that would, as Title IX did for girls and women, offer remedies for
discrimination "based on actual or perceived sexual orientation or
gender identity" in public elementary and secondary schools. The
Student Non-Discrimination Act will help to end entrenched biases
towards lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students in our
education system. The American Civil Liberties Union strongly supports
the bill and urges swift action by the House.

The following can be attributed to Christopher Anders, ACLU Senior Legislative Counsel:
"This
landmark bill is long overdue. Many LGBT students face harassment,
discrimination and sometimes violence in our schools. Our public
schools should not be places of exclusion, but places where students
feel safe and free from discrimination. The Student Non-Discrimination
Act will go a long way toward protecting LGBT students and will help
promote a better learning environment. We urge the House to take swift
action on this bill."

The American Civil Liberties Union was founded in 1920 and is our nation's guardian of liberty. The ACLU works in the courts, legislatures and communities to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to all people in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States.

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