Sadly we live in an imperfect world where LGBTQ students face discrimination in school. It is common to hear stories about these students facing bullying, indifference from school staff, along with insensitive questions. However, parents and students need to know that they are not the ones who need to change. Civil Rights laws require schools to take action against discrimination.
LGBTQ students facing discrimination feel a wide range of emotions. Bullying often affects mental health. There are several suicide prevention projects with many resources for queer teens and their families.
Click here for more information.
However, it is not your or your teenager’s responsibility to accept what is happening at school.
While there might be no federal bullying laws, your child is still protected. Schools are still legally required to take action against bullying and discrimination. If the school fails to do so, it can open them up to a lawsuit.
Sexual Orientation is a Protected Class
As organizations that accept federal money, schools are required to comply with all federal 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 your child is being bullied for being LGBTQ, and the school does nothing, then the school is not complying with federal rights laws.
Inaction is discrimination against your child for their sexual orientation.
For more information on federal civil rights laws and bullying, click here.
What Can I do?
If a school is discriminating against your child, you might have the grounds to file a lawsuit. Start by keeping records of all communication with the school, save all receipts and invoices for expenses related to the bullying (counseling and so on), and call a lawyer to discuss your case.
At Cueto Law, our services are free to you unless we win. We don’t get paid unless you get paid. Call us at 618-277-1554 to talk to one of our lawyers.
