Is your child being bullied for being gay? That can be a big problem for middle and high school students and something that creates a hostile learning environment for children. Being bullied for sexual orientation is never okay. It’s particularly problematic if the school administration does not take meaningful steps to combat bullying.
People often hear stories about teens on the LGBTQ+ spectrum who are being bullied. There was a lot of coverage a few years ago about the It Gets Better Project to prevent suicide from bullying.
For more information, click here.
While activities have created awareness about bullying, the problem is far from over, and many families still deal with children being bullied for being gay.
But did you know that could be a violation of your child’s civil rights?
Being in a Protected Class
Schools accept federal money, which means they must comply with all civil rights laws.
Federal civil rights laws apply to groups of people called a protected class, and this guarantees all people equal rights regardless of their membership to one of these classes.
Protected classes are groups based on
- Race
- Gender
- Gender Identity
- Sexual Orientation
- Religion
- Ethnicity
- Disability
- National Origin
- And More
If the school does nothing, then the school is not complying with federal rights laws.
Their actions can be considered discrimination against your child for their sexual orientation.
For more information on federal civil rights laws and bullying, click here.
Legal Options
Each case is different however, we at Cueto Law have experience working with families who need financial compensation for damages from discriminatory practices from schools.
We recommend that families worried about discrimination in schools download our free signs of discrimination checklist!
Additionally, keep records of all communication with the school, and save receipts for any therapy or expenses related to your child’s bullying. Feel free to call us at 618-277-1554 for a free consultation to discuss the specifics of your case!
