Sexual Harassment, Same-Sex

Sexual harassment is unwanted conduct of a sexual nature that is prohibited both by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972. While Title VII applies to sexual harassment complaints involving employees, Title IX protects students from inappropriate behavior. The original purpose of sexual harassment legislation was to prohibit employers from hiring and promoting employees on the basis of their gender and from making sexual favors a condition of employment. Early sexual harassment litigation focused on male and female interaction in work and educational settings.

Unfortunately, there are numerous incidents of harassing behavior of students, faculty members, and staff at colleges and universities based on their sexual orientations. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered students are more ...