ACLU Comment on Senate Vote on Nondiscrimination Protections for LGBT Students

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate today voted on an amendment — the Student Non-Discrimination Act — to explicitly protect lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students in public schools across the country. While the amendment, which was offered by Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.), fell short of the required 60-vote threshold, it garnered the support of 52 senators, including seven Republicans.

Ian Thompson, legislative representative of the American Civil Liberties Union, said:

“It is disappointing that the Senate failed to act to explicitly protect LGBT children in our nation’s public schools from discrimination. What could be more commonsense? It is, however, encouraging that a bipartisan majority of senators came together in support of the idea that all children, regardless of who they are, deserve the right to learn in an environment that is safe and free from the fear of discrimination looming over their heads.The fight for explicit protection for LGBT students under federal law will continue. In the meantime, the Departments of Education and Justice must continue to use their existing legal authority to protect LGBT students from discrimination and harassment.”