and national origin, Federal civil rights statutes do not expressly include sexual orientation or gender identity . As a result, students and parents have often had limited legal recourse to redress for discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. (b) Purposes The purposes of this Act are— (1) to ensure that all students have access to public education in a safe environment free from discrimination, including harassment, bullying, intimidation and violence, on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity