Tell New Jersey: Pass The Anti-Bullying Bill Of Rights

How We Won

Jan 06, 2011

The victim of malicious anti-gay bullying, Rutgers University student Tyler Clementi took his own life in 2010. The country, and Change.org members, said: "Never again." On Jan. 6, 2011, Governor Chris Christie signed the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights into law in New Jersey, considered by many to be the toughest anti-bullying law in the country. The law came on the heels of Rutgers University student Tyler Clementi's tragic death. Among the many activists fighting for this victory were the 833 Change.org members who sent letters to Gov. Christie, urging him to pass the landmark bill.

After gay Rutgers University student Tyler Clementi's tragic suicide, New Jersey has proposed new anti-bullying laws in the hopes of making them the strongest in the country. Currently, New Jersey's law "encourages" anti-bullying classes. The new law would make them mandatory in K-12 and change language in the college codes to ensure bullying on campus could be properly punished.

It's about time. Too many young men and women, gay and straight, have taken their lives after being cruelly bullied by classmates. The new law would require public school staff to be trained to prevent suicide and deal with intimidation and bullying. Schools and colleges would have to form safety teams to talk about bullying and review how instances of bullying are handled.

The New Jersey State Senate and Assembly have passed this bill. Tell Governor Chris Christie to pass the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights, before another tragedy happens.

Photo credit: Eddie S.

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