School Gender Discrimination Bill Introduced By State Rep. Guenst

HATBORO, PA —State Rep. Nancy Guenst has introduced legislation that would protect students from gender-based discrimination, bullying and harassment, and provide inclusive curriculum and accommodations.

Guenst, D-Montgomery, was among legislators and groups who held a rally for safe and equal schools on the state Capitol steps in Harrisburg on Tuesday and introduced a package of bills. See video below

Legislation introduced by Guenst would create a statewide policy for all public schools to prohibit student discrimination and harassment based on actual or perceived sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression through anti-discrimination and harassment prevention and early intervention policies to create a supportive and equal opportunity learning environment.

“Our children deserve to step into their learning environments across the Commonwealth feeling safe and respected," Guenst said. "No child should be made to feel less than their peers due to the real or perceived distinction of belonging to classes that do not currently hold statewide protections.

Guenst said the legislation would bridge the gaps currently being filled by individual school districts through policies that cover a wide spectrum; all the way from supportive and equal, to "outright harmful and discriminatory."

"We have the power, and responsibility, to stand up for all of our students and say that hate has no home here in Pennsylvania,” Guenst said.

The other groups and legislators involved included State Reps. Joe Hohenstein, D-Phila.; Paul Takac, D-Centre; Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster; Tarik Khan, D-Phila.; the PA Coalition for Trans Youth; Transgender Advocates Knowledgeable Empowering; and NEPA Stands Up.