In the wake of a bullying uproar around the nation, Louisiana organizations statewide have come together to advocate for an inclusive anti-bullying bill.
Equality Louisiana, a LGBTQ coalition of 23 college, local and statewide organizations, supported the creation of possible new anti-bullying legislation in the state. Currently, the bill has a sponsor in the Louisiana Senate but not the House, said Tucker Barry, Capital City Alliance political director.
The framework of the bill was outlined on Saturday by the coalition. The newly proposed bill will be the focus of LGBTQ organizations across the state.
Barry said the bill is better than previous bills because it is more inclusive. He said the coalition is an important factor in the success of the bill.
The current bill excludes certain public school boards from adopting anti-bullying policies, including East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, West Feliciana, St. Helena and Tangipahoa parishes. The proposal would remove these exemptions, said Shane Cone, Spectrum president and geology junior.
The the proposal will also encompass an enumerated list of characteristics: race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, gender identity, gender expression, physical
characteristics, political persuasion, mental illness, physical disability, intellectual disability or development disability.
These characteristics aim to protect all students, Barry said, as the bill involves all communities and organizations in the state, not just those who identify as LGBTQ.
“We don’t want it to be another LGBTQ bill,” Barry said. “It is important for others to know this bill is for everyone.”
The issue of bullying is not new, but with recent legislation in other parts of the nation and constant media attention, support has grown, according to Cone.
The recently passed bullying legislation in Michigan allows for religious exemptions when acts of bullying have moral reasoning to back them up. In response to this bill and others being created around the country, Barry said he recognizes the need for effective legislation.
The current bill is unacceptable to all involved with the anti-bullying legislation initiative. CCA Board Member Matthew Patterson anticipates resistance from other organizations who may try to enact a similar religious exemption policy.
He said he hopes state legislators realize religious exemptions are not acceptable in combatting bullying.
The list also protects students and teachers. Barry said by adding the list, teachers can refer to specific policies when dealing with bullying in the classroom. The bill will define the implementation of bullying policies, which has not been done in the past.
Patterson said the goal is to cover all risk.
At the University level, the way students think about bullying is drastically different than younger students in grade school dealing with this type of harassment. But this doesn’t minimize the importance of the issue and the University’s “commitment to community,” Patterson said.
“It is important for everyone to be involved in our state and the policies that are enforced,” Cone said.
He said many members of Spectrum are actively involved with the bill as well, and numerous officers have spent hours working on making this bill a reality.
“We feel like it’s the most efficient way to make a difference across the state,” Cone said. “This bill would help everyone, not just the LGBTQ community.”
Spectrum also provides a safe place for students dealing with bullying and the emotional affects it may bring, he said.
“Ideally, we all want to end bullying,” Barry said. “There is a need to create a safer environment for all students.”
 
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Contact Lauren Duhon at [email protected]