Anti-Bullying and Non-Discrimination Policies

What Protects LGBTQ+ Students from Bullying and What Might Not

Every student deserves to feel safe at school. But for many LGBTQ+ students in Florida, bullying and harassment remain an everyday challenge. Whether it shows up in the form of slurs in the hallway, online harassment, or teachers looking the other way, the message to these students is often that they are on their own. That message is wrong.

What Florida Law Says

Florida Statute 1006.147, known as the Jeffrey Johnston Stand Up for All Students Act, requires every public school district to adopt a policy that prohibits bullying and harassment. These policies must protect all students and employees and must include specific procedures for reporting, investigating, and responding to incidents.

The law defines bullying as behavior that inflicts physical harm or substantial emotional distress. Harassment is defined as conduct that creates an intimidating or offensive environment. Importantly, while the statute allows districts to list specific protected characteristics, it does not require them to include sexual orientation or gender identity. That choice is left to local school boards.

In places like Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach County, local policies explicitly cover sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. For example:

• Miami-Dade County includes sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression in its Policy 5517.01 – Bullying and Harassment.

• Broward County includes sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression protections in Policy 5900 – Anti-Bullying.

• Palm Beach County includes sexual orientation, gender identity or expression in Policy 5.002 – Prohibition of Bullying and Harassment.

The Gap Between Policy and Reality

Even when districts do have inclusive policies, that does not mean they are followed. Students regularly report that their concerns are ignored, minimized, or even blamed on them. One PRISM member in Palm Beach County was told to “lay low” after reporting repeated slurs and threats. The school’s response was to pull them out of activities instead of addressing the harm.

At the same time, Florida’s recent laws around instruction on identity have created fear and confusion. Some teachers believe they cannot affirm a student’s identity without violating the law. This misinterpretation has made schools more hesitant to intervene when LGBTQ+ students are targeted, especially if the harassment is tied to name changes or pronoun use.

What You Can Do

If you are a student being bullied, or if you are a teacher or parent supporting someone who is, there are clear steps you can take.

• Start by documenting everything. Keep a written log of what happened, when, and who was involved. Save any screenshots or messages.

• File a formal report. Every school should have a process in place. Submit the report in writing and keep a copy.

• Check your district’s anti-bullying policy:

  • Miami-Dade

  • Broward

  • Palm Beach

• Follow up. District policies usually set deadlines for investigating complaints. Ask for updates in writing.

  • Miami-Dade schools must begin responding to a credible bullying report within 24 hours and complete documentation within 30 school days of the incident.

  • Broward schools must start investigating within 5 school days of the report and finish within 10 school days, with a one-time 5-day extension if needed.

  • Palm Beach schools do not publicly list a specific deadline for completing bullying investigations.

• Go further if necessary. If the school fails to act, you can file a complaint with the Florida Department of Education. If the bullying is connected to gender or perceived identity, you may also be protected under Title IX, a federal law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in schools.

Why This Matters

When schools fail to protect LGBTQ+ students, the impact is serious. Harassment is linked to lower academic achievement, chronic absenteeism, and long-term mental health issues. Policies on paper mean little without action and accountability.

Schools have a legal obligation to protect all students. But they also have a moral responsibility to create spaces where every young person can thrive. That only happens when bullying is taken seriously, when policies are enforced, and when LGBTQ+ students are seen and supported.

PRISM is here to help you navigate this process and fight for change where it is needed. If your school is not doing enough, we are ready to stand with you. Because your safety is not negotiable.