Washington DC, June 29, 2011.... GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network, praises thirteen U.S. Senators for committing to making the world safer and more equitable for LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) youth in a historic new video uploaded today to the It Gets Better Project on youtube.com .
The video highlights Senators' experiences with bullying and difference and declares their dedication to passing policies that will improve life for LGBT youth. "We are working every day to make sure it gets better," said Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) in the video. Other Senators featured in the clip include Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Al Franken (D-Minn.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Mark Udall (D-Colo.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.). The video can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GjS2XrD2wc.
"We applaud these senators for sending a positive message about their commitment to LGBT young people. These Senators are among those leading the fight to address rampant bullying and ensure safe schools for all. Congress is currently considering two bills to make schools safer for all young people, and we hope other Senators follow the lead and push for these bills to become law," said GLSEN Executive Director Eliza Byard.
The two bills currently introduced in Congress that would ensure safe learning environments for all students regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity are the Safe Schools Improvement Act and the Student Non-Discrimination Act .
The Safe Schools Improvement Act (SSIA) was introduced with bipartisan support on March 8, 2011 by Sen. Bob Casey (D-Penn.) and Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) and currently has 28 cosponsors. A house version was introduced in April 2011 and currently has 91 bipartisan cosponsors. SSIA would require schools to implement comprehensive anti-bullying policies that include enumerated characteristics of students most often targeted, such as race, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.
The Student Non-Discrimination Act was introduced by Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colo.) in the House and Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) in the Senate on March 10, 2011. The Student Non-Discrimination Act would make discrimination in schools based on sexual orientation or gender identity against the law. It seeks to prevent the exclusion of students from full participation in school sanctioned events, and includes an exemption for religious schools.
About GLSEN
GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network, is the leading national education organization focused on ensuring safe schools for all students. Established in 1990, GLSEN envisions a world in which every child learns to respect and accept all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. GLSEN seeks to develop school climates where difference is valued for the positive contribution it makes to creating a more vibrant and diverse community. For information on GLSEN's research, educational resources, public policy advocacy, student organizing programs and educator training initiatives, visit www.glsen.org .