{"id":1379,"date":"2010-05-25T21:21:30","date_gmt":"2010-05-25T21:21:30","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2010-05-25T21:21:30","modified_gmt":"2010-05-25T21:21:30","slug":"senator-al-franken-introduces-legal-protections-to-help-end-lgbt-discrimination-in-schools","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/proudparenting.com\/2010\/05\/senator-al-franken-introduces-legal-protections-to-help-end-lgbt-discrimination-in-schools\/","title":{"rendered":"Senator Al Franken introduces legal protections to help end LGBT discrimination in schools"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Student Non-Discrimination Act has been introduced by Senator Al Franken and 22 co-sponsors. The SNDA would prohibit discrimination in schools on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity\/expression. It’s noted as an important step toward ensuring that all students are valued and respected and can learn in an environment free from harassment and discrimination.<\/p>\n

According to GLSEN<\/strong><\/a> – the Senate version is a companion bill to H.R. 4530, introduced by Rep. Jared Polis in the House early this year. Rep. Polis\u2019s bill currently has the support of over 100 representatives.<\/p>\n

\u201cGLSEN thanks Senator Franken and SNDA\u2019s 22 Senate cosponsors for making a commitment to ensuring that LGBT students can learn without the fear of being discriminated against simply for who they are,\u201d GLSEN Executive Director Eliza Byard said. \u201cSNDA will send a clear message to schools that they must address the hostile environment many LGBT students face in schools.\u201d<\/p>\n

3\/1\/2008<\/strong>
\nChildren of LGBT parents are typically harassed in school. A new report proves need for anti-bullying policies.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Current estimates indicate there are more than seven million LGBT parents with school-age children in the United States.<\/p>\n

A new report called: Involved, Invisible, Ignored: The Experiences of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Parents and Their Children in Our Nation\u2019s K-12 Schools<\/cite>, examines and highlights the school experiences of LGBT-headed families – using results from surveys of LGBT parents of children in K-12 schools and of secondary students who have LGBT parents.<\/p>\n

It’s the first comprehensive report on the educational experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender families.<\/p>\n

One major conclusion found that LGBT parents are more likely to be involved in their children\u2019s K-12 education than the general parent population. The details showed that we are more involved in school activities and more likely to practice consistent communication with school personnel.<\/p>\n

The research was released by GLSEN, (Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network) – in partnership with the Family Equality Council and COLAGE (Children of Lesbians and Gays Everywhere).<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, the data also indicates that both LGBT parents – and children of LGBT parents – experience harassment because of their family structure.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Among the key findings:<\/p>\n