Every student, from kindergarten to college and beyond, deserves a fair chance to succeed in school and prepare for their future—including students who are LGBTQ. Every student should also be treated fairly and equally under the law, and protecting LGBTQ students helps ensure that they have the same opportunity as their classmates to fully participate in school and be prepared to succeed throughout their lives.
Upon entering the education system, bullying, harassment and violence together create significant barriers to educational access and success for LGBTQ students. Key education-related challenges facing LGBTQ youth include the lack of nondiscrimination protections in education, the lack of prohibitions on bullying in many states, the presence of explicitly anti-LGBTQ laws in school settings, and religious exemptions and a lack of clarity in federal law about the level of protections for LGBTQ students at all levels. Given the importance of access to education for long-term economic security, the experiences of LGBTQ youth in schools is especially troubling.
Students at every level should be able to learn and thrive in a safe school environment. Our schools, colleges, and wherever people seek education, should strive to protect all students from bullying, discrimination, and mistreatment.
