Res 0794-2023

Whereas, The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) is an organization founded in 1990 by teachers to create affirming learning environments for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex and asexual (LGBTQ+) youth; and Whereas, According to GLSEN, there are over 2 million LGBTQ+ youth who attend schools in the United States; and Whereas, A 2020 report published by the Williams Institute at the University of California at Los Angeles School of Law estimated 113,000 youth between ages of 13 and 17 in New York State identify as LGBTQ+; and Whereas, GLSEN's "Rise Up For Youth" campaign calls upon adults and allies in positions of authority to support equal opportunities in education, and rise up to address transphobia, homophobia, racism, and all forms of bigotry and discrimination; and Whereas, According to the 2021 National School Climate Survey State Snapshot (NSCSSS), anti-LGBTQ+ remarks from students and staff were reported as being overheard by 96 percent of the LGBTQ+ student body in New York State schools; and Whereas, The 2021 NSCSSS noted LGBTQ+ students in New York State reported experiencing discrimination at school related to their gender-in particular transgender and nonbinary students-who reported being prevented from using their name or preferred pronouns in school, being prevented from using the locker room or rest room aligned with their gender, or being prevented from playing on the sports team that were consistent with their gender; and Whereas, According to the 2021 NSCSS, while 97 percent of New York State LGBTQ+ students could identify at least one school staff member that they knew to be supportive of LGBTQ+ students, only 72 percent of students could identify 6 or more supportive school staff members; and Whereas, Although only 25 percent of LGBTQ+ students reported being taught positive representations of LGBTQ+ people, history, or events, 23 percent of the LGBTQ+ students reported their school as having a comprehensive anti-bullying/harassment policy that included protections on sexual orientation and gender identity; and Whereas, Recommendations from the 2021 NSCSS include implementing professional development for school staff, increasing LGBTQ+ inclusive curricular resources to enable higher academic achievement while working proactively to lower incidence of LGBTQ+ victimization, and seeking to ensure a safe learning environment for all; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, legislation to ensure equal educational opportunity, basic civil rights protections, and laws and policies that prohibit bias-based victimization, exclusion, and erasure of LGBTQ+ young people in K-12 New York State schools, as called for in GLSEN's 2023-2024 "Rise Up for Youth campaign. LS #13596 8/2/23 CD