As Co-Chair of the National Council on Asian Pacific American’s Education Committee, we believe that passing SNDA can ensure that all students are better able to access quality education and have a safe and supportive learning environment to take advantage of the classroom. With the rise of bullying and the changing demographics of the U.S, passage of such legislation is necessary and timely.
Just as Title IX did for young women and girls, SNDA & SSIA presents us with a historic opportunity to offer critical protections to current and future generations of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender youth and their student allies by ensuring discrimination and harassment of students on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity will have no place in our country’s public elementary and secondary schools.
Let us be clear, this isn’t just a question of education. It’s a matter of life and death. We cannot turn a blind eye to the unspeakable tragedies occurring around the nation as a result of unchecked bullying. Students must be protected and must feel safe in their schools.
We stand with President Obama and urge Congress to pass the Student Non-Discrimination Act and Safe Schools Improvement Act immediately.