Harassment, bullying and violence is a school problem with particularly damaging results for sexual minority youth. Unchallenged, these problems lead to high drop out rates, self-destructive behavior and all too often suicide.

As a constituent, write to urge your representatives to co-sponsor the Dignity for All Students Act, sponsored this session by Sen. Skip Campbell (SB 0294) and Rep. Ken Gottlieb (HB 0157). This bill would amend Florida law to prohibit discrimination and harassment in schools based on race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, marital status and disability. 

More than 82% of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) students report verbal, sexual or physical harassment. Recent studies have shown that over 90% of GLBT students regularly hear anti-gay comments at school with almost one in four hearing these comments from school staff. Almost one in three GLBT students skipped school in the last four weeks because they felt unsafe.

If you agree that all of Florida’s students deserve a learning environment free from violence, discrimination and harassment, then go to our Advocacy Center and send a message to your representatives asking them to support and co-sponsor the Dignity for All Students Act.

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