Schneider Bill Seeks to Ensure LGBTQ Students Have Access to Life-Saving Online Resources

WASHINGTON -- Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10) reintroduced the Don’t Block LGBTQ Act of 2024 to ensure that online LGBTQ resources are not wrongfully blocked at schools and public libraries. 

“Sadly, not all kids have the comfort of a supportive home. For LGBTQ youth struggling with bullying, acceptance, loneliness, or more serious mental health problems, online resources and communities can be life-saving,” said Rep. Schneider. “I’m proud to once again introduce this bill to ensure schools and libraries are places that students can rely on to find educational and support resources.”

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 would clarify that schools and public libraries that block LGBTQ resources would lose access to discounted rates under the E-rate program.  

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 bill text can be found here.