4,000 Demand That Ohio School District Protect LGBT Students After Violent Assault Caught on Tape

Following the on-campus assault of a gay, 15-year-old student caught on cellphone video, more than 4,000 people have joined a campaign on Change.org calling upon the Union-Scioto School District in Chillicothe, Ohio to pass an anti-bullying policy that includes sexual orientation and gender identity.

Bret Thompson launched the campaign on Change.org after the assault, which no one stepped in to stop. The 15-year-old's attacker received only a three-day suspension for the assault.

"I started this petition on Change.org because I know Ohio and this attack does not reflect our values," said Thompson. "Every child has the right to learn in a safe environment, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity."

The Union-Scioto Ohio School District has adopted anti-harassment policies that include sex, race, color, national origin, religion, and disability, but have not specifically moved to protect against harassment or bullying based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

"The school administrators should be ashamed of their response," said Thompson. "If they won't send a message to their student body that this is unacceptable, we'll just have to send a message to them."

Thompson's campaign also calls for the expulsion of the attacker. Rebecca Collins, the victim's mother, told reporters she wants criminal charges pressed against the attacker -- including federal hate crime charges.

It is clear from the huge support for Bret Thompson's campaign on Change.org that Ohio citizens want school districts to ensure that schools are safe for all students, including LGBT students. Change.org is all about empowering anyone, anywhere, to take action on the issues they care about, and it is remarkable how much support Thompson has been able to recruit for his campaign in just a few days.

WATCH: 

Sign Bret's petition here.

 

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Comments

[Genny Kelley]

07:35 PM on 11/06/2011

Not Only should the "Attacker" face Criminal and Federal Hate Crime charges, I also believe the School and the Parents of the Attacker should be held just as responsible for the actions of this Attacker, and held responsible for thier lack of Control, SAFETY and Discipline in the this incident, and over thier students.

[k1dork]

05:21 PM on 11/06/2011

Why does something need to be passed? I'm pretty sure assault is already illegal.

[dennybop]

09:40 PM on 11/06/2011

Assault is already illegal...and the student was expelled for three days. I suppose that is enough "illegal" for you?

[k1dork]

09:59 PM on 11/06/2011

Uh, that's what I thought. Assault is illegal. They can press assault charges. There doesn't need to be any new regulations to address the problem.

[ilovecandy]

04:02 PM on 11/04/2011

This was disgusting, that school needs to do more than this, and those that were washing should be ashamed of them selves.

[Doug Whitinger]

03:22 PM on 11/04/2011

This was obviously pre-meditated. ALL students deserve protection in schools. If you're not gonna protect this kid, then don't protect any of them. Let them all duke it out like Gladiator.

[jcloutier2010]

10:59 AM on 11/04/2011

I would call it a hate crime too.

[rockysparks]

04:56 AM on 11/04/2011

Do it! Sue it! Rah! Rah! Rah!

[Valksy]

08:32 AM on 11/06/2011

Indeed. Asking nicely isn't working, time to get punitive.

Step 1 - Press charges. Don't let the school handle the bullying, it was a pre-meditated assault and should be treated that way.

Step 2 - Sue the school for failing in its duty of care.