GLSEN Commends Legislators for Reintroducing POSSA

GLSEN Commends Legislators for Reintroducing the Protecting Our Students in Schools Act

Today, after the Protecting our Students in Schools Act was reintroduced in Congress, GLSEN Executive Director Melanie Willingham-Jaggers (they/she) released the following statement:

“We commend Congresswoman Bonamici and Senator Murphy for reintroducing the Protecting our Students in Schools Act today, which would make the use of corporal punishment in schools illegal. Striking, spanking, and other forms of corporal punishment are deeply harmful and have no place in our schools. And yet these types of punitive discipline are permissible in over 20 states and are disproportionately used against youth who are Black, Indigenous, people of color, people with disabilities, and who otherwise experience marginalization. Eliminating corporal punishment in schools will help ensure the safety of all students. ‘Safe’ is the bare minimum, and we’re going to continue to rise up and fight for inclusive learning environments that allow all students to grow and thrive.”

About GLSEN

GLSEN is a multi-racial, intergenerational LGBTQ+ organization working nationally and locally to transform K-12 educational systems in the United States. Each year, GLSEN programs and resources reach millions of students and educators in K-12 schools, via action at the national, state, and local level. Since 1990, GLSEN has improved conditions for LGBTQ+ students across the United States and helped launch an international movement to address LGBTQ+ issues in education.