Los Angeles Sexual Assault Lawyer Blog

The California State Senate recently passed the Equality and Equal Access in Higher Education bill (AB 620), which aims to stop harassment and bullying against LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) students and staff members at all California public and private colleges.

This bill was first introduced by Assembly member Marty Block (D-San Diego) and was sponsored by Equality California, according to San Diego Gay & Lesbian News.

Under this legislation, public universities and colleges are required to create and enforce a policy for all campus members that would regulate intimidation and harassment in California. It would be included in the school's code of conduct. AB 620 is an addition to the current 2009 California Postsecondary Education Commission, which requires that staff members address the needs of LGBT students, faculty and staff members.

Our Los Angeles sexual assault attorneys understand that while this bill doesn't have the ability to protect all LGBT residents in our state, this is a beneficial step towards total acceptance. So many times, residents are singled out and bullied because of their sexual orientation. Residents have a right to freedom and protection and we're here to help obtain these rights for our residents, tourists, workers and students.

"Students attending our public colleges and universities deserve a campus that is serious about providing a safe environment," said Block.

Unfortunately, harassment and bullying continues to be a threat to LGBT students in our state. The result of such oppressive behavior oftentimes forces these individuals to underperform in class and eventually drop out of school. This type of behavior should never be tolerated in any situation.

A number of colleges and universities currently collect information regarding student and staff member's gender identity and sexual orientation just as it would race, ethnicity and gender. Under the bill, all colleges must offer these check-boxes.

According to a University of California Undergraduate Experience Survey (UCUES) that was conducted in 2008, a number of LGBT students in the state constantly face obstacles and challenges that many heterosexual students do not.

These additional obstacles are addressed through additional resources and campus services to help them to fight through the issue and to continue on in a successful path to a higher education. The survey also concluded that LGBT students have a higher rate of substance abuse, sexual health risks, family acceptance issues and mental health challenges, in comparison to heterosexual students, because of bullying, harassment and discrimination.

About a third of all LGBT students confess that they have serious depression concerns. This concern is roughly 50 percent higher in these students than the concerns in heterosexual students. Lastly, more than 90 percent of surveyed heterosexual students reported they felt "respected on campus." Less than 75 percent of LGBT students reported this feeling.