College Democrats Statement on HB1366 - The School Violence Prevention Act

Taking out sexual orientation and gender identity/expression protections of House Bill 1366, the School Violence Prevention Act, which is intended to protect all students from bullying and harassment, instills a sense of fear in those students who feel threatened, bullied, or harassed for their sexual orientation and gender identity or expression in North Carolina schools. These students know now that their school will not stand by them when they are bullied, harassed because of who they are.

Four out of five gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) students report that they have faced verbal, physical, or sexual harassment at school (Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network). These kinds of harassments have resulted in higher suicide rates; drop out rates, lower academic confidence and progress among GLBT students.

We cannot afford to let North Carolina’s GLBT students continue to feel the same way because they do not feel safe in our schools. North Carolina’s GLBT students deserve better than the second class attention they have received by the revoking of their protection in the revised version of HB 1366.

All children deserve a safe place to learn, grow, and become better individuals, students and citizens of our world. To deny any student these protections and our support diminishes the chances, hopes, and dreams of our students, and we strongly urge the School Prevention Act to be amended to its original standing, which included protections for sexual orientation and gender identity/expression.