Anti-LGBT Harassment in Schools Leads to Two Settlements

Two recent settlements reaffirm the potential liability when schools officials ignore anti-LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) bullying and harassment.

In California, the Upper Lake Union School District agreed last week to implement comprehensive steps to protect students from anti-LGBT bullying and discrimination after a student was repeatedly harassed for his perceived sexual orientation. In Connecticut, the Watertown Unified School District agreed to pay $30,000 to a former Watertown High School hockey player who endured torment from coaches and teammates, including being called "gay" and "faggot."

GLSEN and the National Center for Lesbian Rights created the document Fifteen Expensive Reasons Why Safe Schools Legislation Is In Your State's Best Interest to illustrate the liability when officials do not address the problem.

"Not enough schools are taking the issue of anti-LGBT bullying and harassment seriously," said GLSEN Founder and Executive Director Kevin Jennings. "Four out of five LGBT students experience harassment at school every year. It's time every school district recognizes the danger in ignoring this problem.

"What more do schools districts need to hear about to act? We've already lost one child this year when 15-year-old Lawrence King was murdered in a California classroom because of his sexual orientation and gender expression. Education leaders need to take their heads out of the sand."

The Upper Lake Union School District agreed to the settlement, handled by the ACLU of Northern California, without a lawsuit after the student experienced years of harassment in elementary and middle school that culminated with an assault last fall that required medical attention.

As part of the settlement, the district will implement GLSEN's No Name-Calling Week program designed to create a dialogue among elementary and middle school students about the need to treat each other with respect. The district will require educator trainings on how to address anti-LGBT bullying, establish a Gay-Straight Alliance at the middle school where the harassment took place and update their school handbooks to include a state-mandated anti-bullying policy, among other proactive measures.

In the lawsuit against the Watertown Unified School District, the student alleged that the coaches encouraged a what-goes-on-in-the-locker-room-stays-in-the-locker-room policy that was known and condoned by the highest administration officials on the school board.

About GLSEN
GLSEN, or the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, is the leading national education organization focused on ensuring safe schools for all students. Established nationally in 1995, GLSEN envisions a world in which every child learns to respect and accept all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. For more information on GLSEN's educational resources, public policy agenda, student organizing programs, research, public education or development initiatives, visit www.glsen.org.