GLSEN’s National School Climate Survey showed that 9 out of 10 LGBT students experienced some form of harassment last year and almost 2/3 of LGBT students feel unsafe in their schools. Even though we have a basic safe schools law in Illinois, we need a stronger, national standard to protect vulnerable students. That is why we are asking you to contact Senator Mark Kirk regarding the Student Non-Discrimination Act (“SNDA”) – S. 555. SNDA would make it illegal to target a child on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.
Members of Congress are currently in their districts on winter break, so please call Senator Kirk TODAY and ask him to support and cosponsor the Student Non-Discrimination Act:
Washington, DC: 202-224-2854 (NOTE: please call the DC office first as his policy staff is there)
Chicago: 312-886-3506
Springfield: 217-492-5089
Sample Phone Script:
Hi, my name is ___ and I live in ___. I am calling to ask Sen. Kirk to cosponsor S. 555, the Student Non Discrimination Act. Nine out of ten LGBT kids are harassed or bullied at school, which results in students skipping school, dropping out and even committing suicide. This bill prohibits LGBT discrimination in schools. Right now there is no such protection for LGBT students nationally, and this bill will protect students who identify as or are perceived to be LGBT. Thank you and I will be watching to see if Sen. Kirk supports this important legislation.
Together with our allies from PFLAG and ACLU, our Field Director Caroline Staerk met with Senator Kirk’s staff last week to urge his co-sponsorship of SNDA. We also delivered thousands of anti-bullying pledges that many of you signed over the past months.
Students are starting to realize that it gets better, but we need your help to make it better!
Thanks for taking action on this very important issue!
Very truly yours,
Bernard Cherkasov
Chief Executive Officer