GLSEN lauds passage of Connecticut anti-bullying and non-discrimination bills

HARTFORD – GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network, and its GLSEN Connecticut Chapter praise the passage of both an enumerated anti-bullying bill that specifically addresses school harassment based on sexual orientation and gender identity as well as a non-discrimination bill that protects transgender people in jobs and public accommodations, including schools.

“GLSEN Connecticut thanks the Connecticut legislature for taking an important step in ensuring our schools are safe, welcoming and free of violence for all students,” said GLSEN Connecticut co-chair Leif Mitchell. “We thank committee chairs Rep. Andy Fleischmann and Sen. Andrea Stillman for strengthening this bill by adding specific categories of students most often targeted by bullying.”

The anti-bullying bill lacked enumeration when it came out of committee, but specific mention of the characteristics of students most often targeted by bullying were added by the Joint Education Committee, after hearing testimony from GLSEN Connecticut and other advocates from the Connecticut Safe Schools Coalition. The passed bill includes, but is not limited to, bullying based on race, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity, and includes protections against cyberbullying as well as training for educators.

With Governor Dannel Malloy’s signature, Connecticut will become the 13th state to enact an anti-bullying bull that includes protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity/expression.

Research shows enumerated bullying policies are essential to addressing anti-LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) bullying. Broad support for such policies in states like Connecticut has fueled optimism that the federal Safe Schools Improvement Act, introduced in both the Senate and the House, also will become law.

"While we celebrate a historic victory for the youth of Connecticut, the somber reality is that youth in most states still do not have adequate protections from bias-based bullying. The bipartisan support in Connecticut sends a strong message to Congress that political differences cannot and should not stand in the way of swift, comprehensive action to address bullying," said GLSEN National Executive Director Eliza Byard.

The 12 other states with anti-bullying laws that include protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity are Arkansas, Colorado, California, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Vermont and Washington.

The non-discrimination bill will add transgender protections to the state’s anti-discrimination laws that apply to jobs, housing, public accommodations and schools. GLSEN Connecticut, under the leadership of the ctEquality coalition, supported the bill. Signing of the non-discrimination bill will make Connecticut the 11th state (in addition to Washington, DC) to protect students from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

About GLSEN
GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network, is the leading national education organization focused on ensuring safe schools for all students. Established in 1990, GLSEN envisions a world in which every child learns to respect and accept all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. GLSEN seeks to develop school climates where difference is valued for the positive contribution it makes to creating a more vibrant and diverse community. For information on GLSEN's research, educational resources, public policy advocacy, student organizing programs and educator training initiatives, visit www.glsen.org. GLSEN Connecticut is an accredited Chapter of GLSEN. For more information about GLSEN Connecticut, visit http://www.glsen.org/connecticut.