With the advent of social media, however, bullying has gotten more intense, especially for LGBTQ teens. National statistics show LGBTQ teens are two times more likely to be harassed. These problems are continuing on to the university level.

Lawmakers have introduced legislation to combat bullying on college campuses. The bill is named after Tyler Clementi, the Rutgers student who killed himself after being violated online.

“We want to make sure everyone has equal access to that quality education,” said Representative Mark Pocan (D-WI). “You shouldn’t be bullied for who you are.”

The bill would require any school that receives federal funding to establish policies to prohibit harassment on campus. This would include actual or perceived race, color, national origin, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or religion.

The bill would also give funds to universities and colleges to establish programs to teach students about bullying, especially bullying online.

“This is about schools looking at the way young people communicate and making sure that colleges, universities are safe for all students and safe,” said Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI).

National statistics also show that one in five college students is bullied. Many advocacy groups have already expressed support for this bill. Below is a list.

-Human Rights Campaign
-The Anti-Defamation League
-The National Women’s Law Center
-The American Association for University Women, the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN)
-The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
-The National LGBTQ Task Force Action
-Pride Foundation

Both the University of Wisconsin Madison and Eau Claire have gotten a head start on the bill and have stepped forward to look at these policies and implement them.