Gender identity bill introduced in House

– Adriana Janovich – yakima-herald.com

YAKIMA, Wash. — Rep. Jared Polis, D-Colo., introduced a bill in the House Wednesday that aims to remedy discrimination “based on actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity” in public elementary and secondary schools.

The Student Non-Discrimination Act seeks to help to end entrenched biases toward lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender, or LGBT, students in the U.S. education system.

“This landmark bill is long overdue. Many LGBT students face harassment, discrimination and sometimes violence in our schools,” said Christopher Anders, senior legislative counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union, which strongly supports the bill and urges swift action by the House.

In a news release, Anders continued: “Our public schools should not be places of exclusion, but places where students feel safe and free from discrimination. The Student Non-Discrimination Act will go a long way toward protecting LGBT students and will help promote a better learning environment. We urge the House to take swift action on this bill.”