Now's our chance to fix the bullying bill and restore clear protections against harassment based on sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and other categories.

A conference committee has been appointed to work out differences between the House and Senate versions of HB 1366, the School Violence Prevention Act. This is our last chance to get the most effective, inclusive language possible, so please contact the committee and take action now!

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

Thank you for your leadership in the fight to address bullying in our schools.

Please restore the enumerated protections to the School Violence Prevention Act, including sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and other categories.

Research has proven that enumerated categories really do make students feel safer and teachers more likely to intervene when vulnerable populations are targeted.

7 out of 10 students in North Carolina report that students at their school are bullied because of their sexual orientation and 3 out of 4 report bullying based on gender identity or expression. Yet too often, teachers look the other way.

That's why it's so important to include sexual orientation and gender identity or expression in the enumerated categories in the bill. This language is standard, well-tested language that's been used in similar bills in Iowa, Maryland, Colorado and many other states.

Again, thank you.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
July 08, 2008