Model Laws and Policies and Related Resources

A national problem, bullying and harassment based on sexual orientation and gender identity/expression have become all too commonplace in America's public grade schools. One of the several ways that GLSEN has attempted to address this problem is through the passage of safe schools laws and policies that prohibit bullying and harassment of all students, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity/expression.

To achieve this, GLSEN has worked with local, state and national coalitions as well as elected officials to pass legislation and policies that are comprehensive (requires policy development, reporting mechanisms and educator and student training) and enumerate the categories of students protected (including actual or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity).

GLSEN has developed a range of tools that we are making available to individuals and groups working at the local, state and national levels to aid with safe schools campaigns.

These tools are designed to provide the kinds of information necessary to launch, sustain and achieve effective safe schools campaigns. These include an example of legislation that might be introduced at the state level, information on the components that make up a comprehensive safe schools law, an example of a school policy to prevent bullying, and the reasons why enumeration of students who should be protected from bullying and harassment is so important.

If you have any questions or concerns or require further assistance, please contact Shawn Gaylord (sgaylord@glsen.org).