Student Non-Discrimination Act (S. 439 / H.R. 846)

Protect Against Discrimination In Schools

The What

A top priority bill for GLSEN, the Student Non-Discrimination Act (SNDA) would prohibit discrimination in public schools based on actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. It would give LGBT students similar rights and protections against harassment as those that currently apply to students based on race and gender.

The Why

Every day, students who are (or are perceived to be) lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) are subjected to pervasive discrimination, including harassment and bullying. While federal laws ban discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, disability, and national origin, they do not explicitly cover sexual orientation or gender identity. As a result, LGBT students and their parents have few legal options when faced with school-based discrimination.  

The Who

GLSEN is proud to partner with more than 80 organizations in support of SNDA. This important legislation is led by Reps. Jared Polis (D-CO), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), and Bobby Scott (D-VA) in the House of Representatives, where it has bipartisan support. It is led in the Senate by Sens. Al Franken (D-MN), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and many others.

The When

The Student Non-Discrimination Act was reintroduced in the House by Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), and Bobby Scott (D-VA) and in the Senate by Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) and others on February 10, 2015. We’re working to get SNDA passed into law. You can help. Contact your Member of Congress and support SNDA today.