HRC Blasts GOP Senate Hopeful Who Mocks Bullying Bill As Unconstitutional

HRC, the Human Rights Campaign, this afternoon released a statement blasting Heather Wilson, a New Mexico Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate who last week told supporters that a proposed anti-bullying bill is unconstitutional because children who haven’t reached puberty don’t know if they’re gay. Wilson also added the bill could violate the free-speech rights of bullies, and criminalize the act of teasing — which, she suggested, all kids do.

READ: GOP Senate Hopeful: Bullying Bill Unconstitutional Because Kids Don’t Know They’re Gay

“It is an act that would criminalize harassment or bullying in schools of children who are gay or who — it criminalizes bullying. It basically makes federal funding dependent on school board policies that will not tolerate bullying of people based on their sexual orientation or, you know, even when kids are below puberty,” Wilson said. Amazingly, Wilson is under the false impression that children who have not reached puberty are not able to determine if they are LGBT.

“Heather Wilson’s remarks are shockingly ignorant and show how unaware she is of the realities kids face in school on a daily basis,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese. “Bullying and harassment of kids who are LGBT, or who are perceived to be LGBT, is a serious problem. Our lawmakers have a moral obligation to protect children. Heather Wilson should be sending a message that verbal and physical abuse is never acceptable behavior. Instead, she’s saying harassment based on someone’s real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity is a normal way for bullies to express their opinion.”

Wilson is very comfortable tolerating bullying, but she is not comfortable even discussing homosexuality, becoming visibly nervous, as The New Civil Rights Movement reported yesterday, when discussing the issue in front of supporters. Wilson also included homosexuality among the “things I’m willing to tolerate that I’m not willing to approve.” And by stating she is not willing to approve of homosexuality or a bill that would help protect LGBT students or those who are perceived to be LGBT, she is stating they deserve they bullying they get.

“Heather Wilson isn’t just disagreeing with SNDA from a policy perspective, she is devaluing the everyday experiences, health, and safety of LGBT youth,” Solmonese added. “Bullying or harassing another human being is never acceptable, regardless of your personal beliefs. Heather Wilson should immediately amend her remarks to demonstrate she understands just how dangerous a problem bullying is for students.”

HRC adds:

 In reality, SNDA would prohibit public schools from discriminating against any student on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. Discrimination and harassment of students who are LGBT, or are perceived to be LGBT, can lead high rates of absenteeism, dropout, adverse health consequences and academic under achievement. When left unchecked, such discrimination can lead, and has led to, dangerous situations for young people. SNDA is a critical step forward in addressing the discrimination that LGBT students face every day in their schools and classrooms.

SNDA does not inhibit constitutionally guaranteed freedoms of speech and expression for individuals and student groups.   Language in SNDA recognizes that nothing in the Act alters the legal standards and rights available to individuals or religious and other student groups under the First Amendment and the Equal Access Act.  SNDA prohibits discrimination, including severe, persistent or pervasive harassment; it does not prevent an individual or organization from expressing disagreement with an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

HRC has a petition demanding Wilson “amend her statement to demonstrate she understands just how dangerous a problem bullying is for students.”