Currently, federal law explicitly protects students from discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, and disability. However, no federal law explicitly protects students from discrimination based on their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity or their association with lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people. The Student Non-Discrimination Act (H.R. 846/S. 439) would address this issue by explicitly prohibiting public schools from discriminating against any student based on the categories above.
The Student Non-Discrimination Act is expected to be voted on as an amendment to the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) in the Senate in the coming month. In preparation for this vote, the RAC organized a letter signed by thirty-six faith-based organizations and religious denominations in support of the Student Non-Discrimination Act, and the letter was sent to the Senate yesterday. The full text of the letter is below and a press release can be found here.
Dear Senator, On behalf of our organizations, representing a diverse group of faith traditions and religious beliefs, we urge you to support the inclusion of the Student Non-Discrimination Act (H.R. 846/S. 439) in any reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). Currently, federal law protects students from discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, and disability. SNDA would build off of these protections by explicitly prohibiting public schools from discriminating against any student on the basis of their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity, or their association with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. It is long past time that all students, regardless of their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity, can attend school without facing discrimination. Our faith traditions hold different and sometimes evolving beliefs about the nature of human sexuality and marriage, as well as gender identity and gender expression, but we can all agree on the fundamental premise that every child is entitled to a public education free of discrimination. Our faiths emphasize the importance of education and public education is one of the most critical services provided by our states and has significant implications for students’ success later in life. Our faiths traditions also stress the need to protect the most vulnerable members of our society. Public school students who are LGBT, associate with LGBT people or are perceived to be LGBT face pervasive discrimination, which includes harassment, bullying, intimidation and violence. In addition to contributing to high rates of academic underachievement, discrimination at school causes adverse physical and mental health outcomes among LGBT youth, making them an especially vulnerable group of young people in our society. A 2013 survey found that 55.5% of LGBT students felt unsafe at school because of their sexual orientation, and 37.8% felt similarly because of their gender expression. Every single child deserves access to equal educational opportunities, and no student should be denied that fundamental right because they fear discrimination at school. Schools should be safe places of learning, not arenas of bullying and harassment. SNDA applies only to public schools and therefore does not interfere with the operations of religious, private schools, and strikes a balance between the ability of all youth to obtain a public education free of discrimination, and the right of religious schools to operate based on the traditions and teachings of their faith. Thus, concerns about religious freedom should not hinder the passage of this important legislation. Again, we urge you to support the inclusion of the Student Non-Discrimination Act in any reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Sincerely, African American Ministers in Action Equal Justice Task Force AJC (American Jewish Committee) American Conference of Cantors Anti-Defamation League Believe Out Loud Bend the Arc Jewish Action B’nai B’rith International Brethren Mennonite Council for LGBT Interests Central Conference of American Rabbis DignityUSA Disciples Home Missions Friends Committee on National Legislation Global Faith & Justice Project The Global Justice Institute Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Inc. Hindu American Foundation Interfaith Alliance Jewish Labor Committee Keshet Metropolitan Community Churches More Light Presbyterians Mormons for Equality Muslims for Progressive Values Nehirim New Ways Ministry Open and Affirming Coalition of the United Church of Christ Rabbinical Assembly ReconcilingWorks: Lutherans for Full Participation Reconstructionist Rabbinical College and Jewish Reconstructionist Communities Religious Institute Union for Reform Judaism United Methodist Church, General Board of Church and Society United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism Wider Church Ministries of the United Church of Christ Women of Reform Judaism Women’s Alliance for Theology, Ethics, and Ritual
Related Posts
Image
Favorite Jewish Teachings from Leaders of Color
June 2, 2022
As Shavuot approaches and we celebrate the Giving of the Torah, I have been spending some time reflecting on some of my favorite teachings from Jewish sacred literature, both those that resonate with me, and those that feel most important or most timely.
Image
What Jewish Wisdom Can Teach Us about Waiting for Election Results
November 2, 2020
It may prove difficult to wait for election results, especially in these times of heightened stress and anxiety; patience may seem impossible. Fortunately, Jewish faith and tradition offer lessons for us as we enter a period of waiting and uncertainty.
Image
The Sanctity of Voting: A Jewish Analogy for “Secrecy Sleeves”
October 21, 2020
Just as the Torah is at the center of Judaism, the ballot is at the core of our democracy. We would not dream of returning the Torah to the Ark without first dressing it. It helps, then, to think of the outer envelope as the ark and the inner security envelope as our ballot’s Torah cover.