AB 9, authored by Assemblymember Ammiano and sponsored LGBTQ equality organizations, seeks to create a safer school environment for California students

(San Francisco, CA, June 22, 2011)—The Senate Education Committee today passed Seth’s Law (AB 9) in a 7-2 vote. Seth’s Law is designed to address the pervasive problem of school bullying by providing California schools with tools to create a safe school environment for all students. The bill is authored by Assemblymember Tom Ammiano (D-San Francisco) and co-sponsored by a coalition of organizations advancing LGBTQ equality, including Equality California, the ACLU of California, National Center for Lesbian Rights, Gay-Straight Alliance Network, and The Trevor Project. The bill is named in memory of Seth Walsh, a 13 year-old gay student from Tehachapi, California, who took his life in September 2010, after facing years of relentless anti-gay harassment at school.

Wendy Walsh, Seth’s mother, provided powerful testimony in support of the bill today. “I can’t bring my son back. But the California legislature can make a difference today to protect young people across our state just like Seth who are or are thought to be lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. Schools need to take harassment and bullying seriously when parents or students tell them about it, and when they see it and hear it on the school campus,” Walsh said.

AB 9 would ensure that every school in California implements updated anti-harassment and anti-discrimination policies that include actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, gender, race, ethnicity, nationality, disability, and religion or association with one or more of these groups. It would also inform students and parents of their rights and how to address incidents of bullying.

“As a former teacher, I know how important it is for our students to feel safe at school. Each day throughout California, LGBTQ youth experience harassment. Seth’s Law will give schools the necessary tools to prevent any young person from being bullied, harassed or worse because of their sexual orientation or gender identity and expression,” said Assemblymember Ammiano.

“Every day thousands of children go to school fearing for their safety simply because of who they are,” said Jim Carroll, Interim Executive Director of Equality California. “California schools must do more to protect students against bullying and harassment. Seth’s law will provide schools with the knowledge and tools they need to effectively address bullying.”

Schools often do not have the tools or knowledge to adequately protect lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) students and others from bullying, which remains a serious issue across California and the rest of the nation. Students, parents, and school employees often don’t know what the rules are or what to do if bullying occurs.

“Children should never fear going to school, and yet that is the daily reality for thousands of California students who face relentless harassment and bullying,” said National Center for Lesbian Rights Executive Director Kate Kendell. “We must do everything we can to address the root causes of bullying and create inclusive and respectful school environments.”

“Bullying can have serious and tragic consequences, particularly for students who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender,” said Carolyn Laub, Executive Director of Gay-Straight Alliance Network. “We must take pro-active steps to ensure that California’s schools are safe for every student. Seth’s Law will provide critical support for student activists in Gay-Straight Alliance clubs across the state working to make their schools safer.”

In a recent national survey, nine out of 10 LGBTQ students reported being harassed at school. The problem persists in California as well, with LGBTQ students reporting significant harassment. The California Safe Schools Coalition reported in 2010 that 42 percent of California students who identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual and 62 percent who identify as transgender reported being harassed at least once based on gender non-conformity.

“Public schools have tremendous power and responsibility to protect students from bullying and harassment,” said Elizabeth Gill, Staff Attorney with the ACLU of California. “Better school procedures and policies to prevent and address bullying will make a safer environment for students who are suffering.”

“When schools have the resources to protect young people who are bullied or harassed, it greatly affects the psychological well-being of all students, including LGBTQ students,” said David McFarland, Interim Executive Director of The Trevor Project. “When passed, Seth’s Law will help encourage a safer and healthier school environment, benefitting all California youth.”

The consequences of bullying and harassment can include falling grades, depression, and risk of suicide. Lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth are four times more likely than their heterosexual peers to attempt suicide.

read NCLR’s fact sheet on AB 9