GLSEN Touts Passage of Nevada LGBT-Inclusive Anti-Bullying Law

NEW YORK (May 20, 2015) – GLSEN's Executive Director, Dr. Eliza Byard, applauded Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval and the Nevada State Legislature for passing and signing into law an anti-bullying bill that specifically protects students on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Nevada joins 17 other states  and Washington, D.C., as having laws that specifically prohibit bullying and harassment based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

"Today, Gov. Sandoval and the Nevada Legislature, with support from local community organizations like GLSEN Southern Nevada, took an important step in ensuring that all students attend safe and affirming schools where they are welcomed and celebrated for their diversity. This law sends a powerful message of support to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students.

"Our research shows how crucial anti-bullying policies that specifically protect students on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity are for LGBT students and the overall K-12 school climate. Students who attend schools with LGBT-inclusive anti-bullying policies experience lower levels of victimization, have lower rates of absenteeism and higher grade point averages, and report that teachers intervene in bullying incidents more than twice as often."

The latest edition of GLSEN's National School Climate Survey recently found that while school climate has improved somewhat since 1999, schools nationwide remain hostile environments for a distressing number of LGBT students and that a hostile school climate affects students' academic success and mental health. Seventy-four percent of LGBT students were verbally harassed in the past year because of their sexual orientation and 55 percent because of their gender expression. As a result of feeling unsafe or uncomfortable, 30 percent missed at least one day of school in the past month.

About GLSEN

GLSEN is the leading national education organization focused on ensuring safe and affirming schools for all students. Celebrating its 25th year, 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.

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