What are the rights of LGBT students in public schools?

LGBT students in public schools in California have some important rights that are protected by state and federal laws. The California Student Safety and Violence Prevention Act of 2000 (SB-877) requires that students have the right to attend school in a safe, harassment-free environment regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Specifically, schools are required to provide a learning environment that is free of discrimination, intimidation, and ridicule on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. The California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) prohibits discrimination against any individual in terms of housing, employment, and education on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. This means that LGBT students in public schools in California have the same rights as all other students in the school in terms of admission, educational opportunities, and access to facilities including locker rooms and restrooms. Students can also seek support from school administrators and teachers, who are required to take reasonable steps to prevent and respond to any harassment or discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. This could include providing LGBT support groups, offering sensitization and education classes to other students, or adjusting policies as needed to ensure that LGBT students can learn in an environment that is free from discrimination.

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What are the rights of LGBT students in public schools?

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