An “LGBT ‘supportive environment'” in schools was encouraged by the Department of Justice today in testimony delivered by Jocelyn Samuels, Senior Counselor to the Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). Samuels testified today before the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights at a hearing to address bullying, including anti-gay bullying, and intra-student violence and harassment.
Below is the full text of her prepared remarks, which included these key statements:
“President Obama has made clear his commitment to protecting children from bullying and harassment of all kinds – he and First Lady Michelle Obama recently convened a conference at the White House to bring students, parents, educators and other stakeholders together to talk about bullying prevention. These efforts are ever more important than ever to ensure our nation’s children can access the opportunities that will allow them to thrive.
“The Justice Department is committed to protecting the civil rights of children, including the right to go to school and receive an education free from harassment and discrimination.”
“Schools can play a vital role in addressing this issue. Indeed, proactive school efforts to prevent harassment and bullying and respond when it occurs can have significant effects in limiting the repercussions that those subject to harassment all too frequently suffer. For example, a recent study measured the suicide risk of lesbian, gay, and bisexual students and found that the risk was 20% lower in schools with an LGBT “supportive environment,†that includes a gay-straight alliance and non-discrimination or anti-bullying policies that include specific protections for lesbian, gay, and bisexual students. We encourage schools to take proactive measures to address harassment and bullying in school and to ensure adequate protection for all students.”
Regular readers of The New Civil Rights Movement know well the study Samuels mentions, as we examined it in-depth and spoke with its esteemed author, Mark L. Hatzenbuehler, in, “Gay And Straight Teen Suicide Attempts Higher In Conservative Regions.”
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