By Kathleen Gilbert

WASHINGTON, DC, January 28, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) – U.S. Representative Jared Polis (D-CO) has introduced a law that would allow high school students who feel discriminated against based on their perceived sexual orientation to pursue charges in federal court.

Polis on Wednesday introduced the “Student Non-Discrimination Act,” which has 60 co-sponsors.

“Every day innocent students fall victim to relentless harassment and discrimination from teachers, staff, and fellow students based on their sexual orientation,” said Polis, who is openly homosexual, in a statement.

“These actions not only hurt our students and our schools but, left unchecked, can also lead to life-threatening violence. Like Title VI for minorities in the ’60s and Title IX for women in the ’70s, my legislation puts LGBT students on an equal footing with their peers, so they can attend school and get a quality education, free from fear.”

However, critics argue that the bill essentially sets up a class of thought-crime, and that instead policies should be developed that prevent students from being mistreated for any reason, instead of singling out “sexual orientation.”

“We think the best thing would be policies that prohibit bullying across the board for any reason against any child,” Candi Cushman, education analyst for Focus on the Family Action, told the Denver Post. “The emphasis should be on the wrong action of the bullies, not why they did it or what their perceived thoughts were.”

“This can and should be done without politicizing the classroom and introducing controversial sexual topics to kids against parents’ wishes,” she added.