H.C.R. No. 13 Summary

• Designates the third Friday of April 2013 as the National Day of Silence in Ohio to bring attention to anti-lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender name-calling, bullying, and harassment in schools.

• Cites data from the 2011 National School Climate Survey showing that 82% of LGBTQ students experienced verbal harassment, 38% experienced physical harassment, and over 60% felt unsafe at school.

• Supports the goals of the National Day of Silence, a movement where students take a vow of silence to raise awareness of LGBTQ-related harassment in schools.

• Encourages Ohio cities and school districts to adopt policies prohibiting name-calling, bullying, harassment, and discrimination against students and staff based on sexual orientation and gender identity or expression.

• Notes that supportive school staff contribute to positive outcomes including better attendance, higher academic achievement, and greater sense of school belonging among LGBTQ students.