By Chloe Massman, V-Girls Action Team Member
Hot Springs, South Dakota
http://www.v-girls.org/
Ladies! It’s time to know your rights! When you are in school, there are rules laid in place through Title IX to keep you safe. Sometimes your teachers or classmates might tell you that when you are in school, you have no rights. Well, that is simply not true. For example, if you feel sexually harassed while in school, you CAN take action. You don’t have to be silent. If you choose to share that you are anything other then straight, or if you have a conversation about how you appreciate gays, lesbians or bisexuals, and someone makes fun of you, this can be considered harassment. It’s your personal belief, and you have a right to express yourself without being harassed. Another fact that I was surprised to learn is that if someone interferes with your birth control, that’s also considered harassment. If you or someone you know is being harassed at school, don’t be afraid to take action. For more information, contact a V-Girls Activist like myself, tell a school administrator, or educate yourself by reading the fact sheet provided by the ACLU where you can learn all about your rights under Title IX in school.
Download the Title IX Your School, Your Rights Fact Sheet HERE.