Making LGBT Students Feel Safe and Supported

categories: LGBT Education, LGBT Rights and Politics

Published October 20, 2009 @ 12:09PM PT

Ally Week

Almost 90 percent of LGBT students experience some form of abuse or bullying in schools, whether it's physical or emotional. To top that off, almost 2/3 of all LGBT students feel unsafe in school. Those numbers are crazy high, and one reason why students, teachers and activists of every stripe are commemorating Ally Week.

The week, started by more than 4,000 students as a response to anti-LGBT bullying and harassment, is a project of GLSEN -- the Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network. It's meant as a means of urging straight allies to stand firm against homophobic speech, homophobic bullying, or homophobic taunts both inside and outside the classroom.

“Students will bring a message of respect into schools across America this week,” said Lazaro Cardenas, a 17-year-old senior from Riverside, Calif. “We will ask our friends and classmates to be allies against anti-LGBT behavior by signing a pledge to not engage in that kind of activity and intervene when others do so. This is a first step toward making schools safer places to learn.”

What's that pledge look like? It's pretty short and sweet, but hits all the right notes:

I believe all students, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression deserve to feel safe and supported.

That means I pledge to:

Not use anti-LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) language or slurs.

Intervene, if I safely can, in situations where students are being harassed.

Support efforts to end bullying and harassment.

Isn't that awesome? Yet, while more than 4,000 Gay Straight Alliances organize Ally Week, roughly four dozen lawmakers on the GOP side are wasting energy trying to get rid of the White House's Safe Schools Czar, Kevin Jennings. The crime they charge Jennings with?

Being gay, and urging an end to homophobic bullying in schools. It's GOP behavior that is anti-LGBT pandering at its worst, and it places the interests of students dead last, way behind partisan bickering and anti-gay cheer-leading.

Here's hoping that the allies and LGBT folks participating in Ally Week send the message that despite what four dozen GOP lawmakers might say, it's time to eradicate anti-LGBT bullying. As GLSEN's Executive Director, Eliza Byard, said, "Allies play a crucial role in addressing and raising awareness about the pervasive problem of anti-LGBT bullying. GLSEN’s Ally Week is an opportunity for students to show their commitment to the idea that all students should be valued and respected, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity/expression."

And respect is something we should be teaching in all of our schools.

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Comments (7)

Im no longer in school but what the fuck...

Signed.

Posted by Thomas McHugh on 10/20/2009 @ 01:16PM PT
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You know, I really wish they had the GSA when I was in high school. Life would have been so much easier. Not that I was "out" per se, but it may have made it easier to not only come out, but to be true to myself.

I hope the Obama Administration doesn't cave to Faux Noise and the GOP's call for Kevin Jennings' head on a platter.

I'm with Thomas though, 20 years later, I sign!

Posted by Dave Hershey on 10/20/2009 @ 01:57PM PT
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The Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network is doing the correct by encouraging school students to sign a pledge in which they won't bully or harass LGBT students. All school students must know that bullying because of sexual orientation is homophobia, which brings no benefit to bullies. It's unfortunate that the Republican party is showing more of its intolerance with several members of Congress calling for the resignation of the qualified Kevin Jennings.

Posted by Edwin Bonilla on 10/20/2009 @ 02:43PM PT
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I would have signed this if I was still in school. This is an excellent start, but the road ahead is still long and hard.

Well, its a new lane added onto the already long and rough road to LGBT equality.

Posted by Paul Hockhousen on 10/20/2009 @ 09:13PM PT
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This is great! Wish there'd been GSA when I was a kid. Watch some fundie asshats start claiming that it's "special rights"--never fails with these creeps. I guess LGBTQ people being allowed to BREATHE is special rights to the 'phobes. Anyhow this is great. Glad to see this up and running.

Yeah, guys, I hope Obama doesn't cave to those right wing creeps on the issue of Kevin Jennings, too. What's all the hate? The guy has done a lot of good. Oops, I forgot, can't do good for "teh gay".

Posted by Ioan Lightoller on 10/21/2009 @ 01:08AM PT
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I run the GSA at my school. I have been teaching for 17 years and now there seems to be more backlash than ever. I life in California and the LAUSD District is trying to rid our classrooms of pro gay materials. I had an administrator ask me if my school was promoting homosexuality and to take down NO ON PROP 8 materials. I refused! F them! No more Mr. Nice Gay! And yes we are recruiting! Conscious minded folks welcome!

Posted by brian Jacobs on 10/21/2009 @ 09:37AM PT
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This is taking place in Los Angeles? Really?

Posted by Dave Hershey on 10/21/2009 @ 10:21AM PT
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Author

Michael is the Communications Director for the Human Rights Program at Harvard Law School, and previously was Communications Director for Pax Christi USA, a progressive Catholic human rights organization.