Schatz Introduces Resolution Calling Out Attacks On LGBTQ+ Students, Urging Communities To Protect Kids

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today introduced a resolution calling out the attacks on LGBTQ+ students in schools and urging communities across the country to demand equal educational opportunities, basic civil rights, and freedom from erasure for all students in K-12 schools.

“Every child should feel safe at school,” said Senator Schatz. “As attacks against LGBTQ+ students increase across the country, we need to take action to protect these students and fight back against the discriminatory policies that harm them. Our resolution pledges support to LGBTQ+ students, and makes clear this discrimination will not be tolerated in the Congress.”

The resolution comes in advance of a national day of silence taking place on April 14, when LGBTQ+ students and allies around the country will protest the harassment and discrimination of LGBTQ+ people in schools. During the first three months of 2023, more than 180 bills have been introduced in 37 states targeting LGBTQ+ youth, including book and curriculum bans and specific attacks on transgender children. This has had a particularly severe impact on LGTBQ+ students, who are more likely than their peers to experience anxiety, depression, and other mental health impacts.

This resolution has been endorsed by over 100 organizations, including GLSEN, National Education Association, American School Counselors Association, National Association of School Psychologists, AACTE (American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education), Advocates for Youth, American Federation of Teachers, American Psychological Association, Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC, Council of Administrators of Special Education, GLBTQ Legal Advocates and Defenders (GLAD), GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ+ Equality, Human Rights Campaign, Lambda Legal, National Black Justice Coalition, National Center for Transgender Equality, National LGBTQ+ Bar Association, National Center for Lesbian Rights, National Center for Learning Disabilities, National Organization for Women, PFLAG National, and Transgender Advocates Knowledgeable Empowering (T.A.K.E.). A full list can be found here.

The resolution is cosponsored by U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.). A similar resolution was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by U.S. Representatives Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) and Mark Takano (D-Calif.).

The full text of the resolution is available here.

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