WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, in a show of support for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) students, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) recorded a video applauding students participating in the National Day of Silence, and urged teachers to do all they can to protect LGBT students from bullying. Each April, students across the country take a vow of silence to raise awareness about anti-LGBT bullying which “silences” its victims by inhibiting their ability to be who they are for fear of harassment or even physical violence. 

“Too many students are silenced every day by bullying,” Brown said. “They are silenced out of fear and worry; shame and embarrassment; and for simply being who they are. Without a safe space to speak, these students may even question their self-worth. That’s why efforts like the Day of Silence are so important. Together, we can assure all LGBT Americans that life will get better.”

National Day of Silence was first established at the University of Virginia in 1996. More than 80 percent of LGBT youth have reported being verbally or physically harassed because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Brown encourages teachers to visit the Stop Bullying website and find out what they can do to prevent bullying in their classroom, support students who are in need of a caring mentor, and recognize warning signs of depression or possible suicide risk.

Brown continues to support the LGBT community and advocate for the civil rights of all Americans. In March 2014, Brown and more than 175 Senators and Representatives sent a letter to President Obama, calling on him to issue an executive order banning federal contracts from being awarded to contractors who do not have policies prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. In November 2013, Brown voted in favor of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), an effort to protect Americas from workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Brown introduced the Housing Opportunities Made Equal (HOME) Act of 2013, a bill that would protect LGBT individuals from housing discrimination. His legislation would expand the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act to include sexual orientation and gender identity as personal characteristics that may not be used to determine access to housing or credit. Brown also is one of just a handful of sitting senators who voted against the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in 1996.

 

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