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Rep. Schneider Reintroduces Legislation to Make Online Resources Available to LGBTQ Students

June 29, 2022

LGBTQ+ youth prevented from accessing health and anti-bullying resources by some public schools and libraries

Today, during Pride Month 2022, Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10) re-introduced legislation to ensure critical online LGBTQ resources are not blocked at schools and public libraries. Currently, public schools and libraries that receive discounted telecommunications and internet rates through the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) E-Rate program must enforce an internet safety policy that in some cases leads to the blocking of useful LGBTQ resources. The "Don't Block LGBTQ Act of 2022" would clarify that schools and public libraries that block LGBTQ resources would lose access to discounted rates under the E-rate program. This bill does not prevent schools and libraries from blocking indecent and other explicit content that could be harmful to minors, as current law intends. Schneider previously introduced the bill in the 116th and 115th Congresses.

"The internet can be a critical source of information and support for LGBTQ+ youth, especially in moments of need" said Schneider. "No American should be prevented from accessing potentially life-saving resources because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. I'm proud to again introduce this legislation to ensure LGBTQ+ individuals are not prevented from getting help at important moments – whether asking health questions, responding to bullying, or seeking support to come out to family and friends."

According to the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, LGBTQ individuals suffer higher rates of psychiatric disorders, substance abuse and other health problems due to the discrimination they face. It is well documented that LGBTQ students particularly face discrimination and bullying in schools and that those students are less likely to report incidents of harassment to school staff because they doubt intervention will occur or worry that the situation could become worse than originally reported. Online websites and communities are important resources for LGBTQ youth in this difficult situation.

Similarly, the internet is an important source of health care information. In one study, LGBTQ youth were nearly twice as likely to have searched online for health and medical information compared to non-LGBTQ youth (81 versus 46 percent).

The legislation is supported by the following organizations:

  • LGBT Tech
  • Advocates for Youth
  • Athlete Ally
  • CA LGBTQ Health and Human Services Network
  • Campus Pride
  • Center for Disability Rights
  • Center for LGBTQ Economic Advancement & Research (CLEAR)
  • CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers
  • Equality California
  • EveryLibrary
  • FORGE, Inc.
  • Family Equality
  • GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ Equality
  • GLSEN
  • Howard Brown Health
  • Human Rights Campaign
  • Los Angeles LGBT Center
  • Mazzoni Center
  • Modern Military Association of America
  • National Center for Lesbian Rights
  • National Center for Transgender Equality
  • National Coalition for LGBTQ Health
  • National LGBT Cancer Network
  • PFLAG National
  • The Trevor Project

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