Broward Schools Recognized For LGBT Anti-Bullying Policies

The Broward County Public School district has been honored for its anti-bullying policies.

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Broward County Public Schools are being honored for their anti-bullying policies.

Equality Florida recognized the school district at its annual gala this weekend. Broward was specifically being recognized for its policies protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students.

“The tough reality is that even today, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students face relentless bullying and harassment in our schools across the state and across the country,” said Stratton Pollitzer, deputy director of Equality Florida. “Broward Schools have really stepped up to make sure those students are protected”

Broward County Public Schools were the first in the state to write an anti-bullying policy that specifically addressed sexual orientation and gender identity.

Pollitzer said that beyond what they’ve done on paper, his organization has been impressed at the resources Broward Schools put toward protecting LGBT students.

“They have a tremendous resource in their safe schools department that reaches out to schools all across the county to make sure they have resources and training for supporting and protecting LGBT students,” says Pollitzer.

Also important, he says, is that the policies Broward developed don’t just protect children in South Florida: “Broward’s anti-bullying policy has become a model that has now been implemented and protects more than half of the students all across Florida.”

Last year, Broward County Public Schools became the first district in the country to recognize LGBT history month.