HARRISBURG, PA—On Friday, April 20, the White House has come forward to support two key pieces of legislation to protect and support lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) students in schools across the nation. The Pennsylvania Student Equality Coalition (PSEC) commends The White House’s bold statement in support of Pennsyvlania’s US Senator Bob Casey’s Safe Schools Improvement Act (SSIA) as well as the Student Nondiscrimination Act (SNDA).

The Safe Schools Improvement Act would provide a required enumerated bullying policy in every public school district across the county. This enumeration would protection to students regardless of their real or perceived race, color, national origin, disability, sex, origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or religion. Additionally, this bill would add reporting requirements, mandating that every school district receiving federal funding comply with completing a needs assessment as well as biennial reports and evaluation.

The Student Nondiscrimination Act is a bill that actively provides protection for LGBT youth and gives them an outlet to pursue any discrimination they face in schools. This bill would provide federal protection for LGBT youth and allow them to seek remedies for any discrimination they face.

There are currently five Pennsylvania cosponsors of SNDA in the House and four Pennsylvania cosponsors for SSIA. Please see the attached maps for more information on the bi-partisan bills. At this time, Pennsylvania state law prescribes no such requirements for safe schools as SSIA or SNDA would put into place.

“I am proud of the Obama Administration for making a commitment to providing safe schools to students across the country,” said PSEC Deputy Director Joy Horner. “The Student Nondiscrimination Act provides crucial protection that LGBT students need in school districts across the country. The Administration’s support of these bills marks a key stamp of approval and continues to highlight the need for making schools a safer place for all – including LGBT students.”

PSEC has worked over the past year very seriously on these bills. PSEC student leaders from across the state have met multiple times with both of Pennsylvania’s US Senators offices in Pennsylvania and in Washington, DC specifically on SSIA and SNDA. PSEC continues to encourage fellow Pennsylvania Senator Pat Toomey to support the pair of legislative landmarks. Pennsylvania youth are energized by this promising endorsement, especially as the LGBT community commemorated the National Day of Silence the day the announcement was made.

“The Day of Silence is all about speaking up and making our voices heard – it seems The White House has heard our silence and noise, and we hope Congress will follow suit,” said PSEC Executive Director Jason Goodman.