Currently, only thirty-three states have passed anti-bullying and harassment laws, but they do not include the protection of LGBTQ youth (Stopbullying.org, 2012). Of the fifty states, only sixteen of them currently have harassment and discrimination laws aimed toward one’s sexual orientation (Stopbullying.org, 2012).

In 2010, 84.6% of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning (LGBTQ) students stated they had been verbally harassed and 40.1% had been physically assaulted at school due to their sexual identity. Also, LGBTQ youth are five times more likely to skip school due to safety and bullying concerns.

Currently, federal lawmakers are debating on proposals for laws that would protect all schools in the country from bullying and would include specifics for the LGBTQ population.

The Student Non-Discrimination Act “would provide students with explicit federal protections against discrimination and harassment in all public elementary and secondary schools across the country based on a student's actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity” (Huffington Post, 2012). The Safe Schools Improvement Act states that any schools and districts that received federal funding would have to “adopt anti-bullying policies and codes of conduct that specifically prohibit bullying or harassment on the basis of disability, race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation and perceived or actual gender identity”(National Center for Disabilities, 2012).

LGBTQ youth continue to need supporters and advocates to help raise awareness of the discrimination they face. Not only do they face higher suicide rates and victimization to bullying, but face the struggles of the adolescent years.

Please help support LGBTQ youth and sign the petition letter to pass the Student Non-Discrimination Act and the Safe Schools Improvement Act!