Among those asked to describe the most important problem facing their lives right now:
LGBT youth identified
1. Non-accepting families (26%)
2. School/bullying problems (21%)
3. Fear of being out or open (18%)Non-LGBT youth identified
1. Classes/exams/grades (25%)
2. College/career (14%)
3. Financial pressures related to college or job (11%)
I talk about this statistic when outreaching to schools on why bullying is an important issue.
Last week I presented to a room full of teachers and counselors of a local school district.
The first part of the presentation I taught them terminology. Words like asexual, cisgender, heterosexism, intersex, LGBTIQ, two-spirit and ze (A-Z! haha). All of the words previously mentioned were a challenge. The only word they knew was lesbian. They learned a lot from this activity.
During my presentation we were talking about derogatory terms and the phrase, “That’s so Gay.” I had a teacher raise her hand and ask if the term was bad. I collected myself because I did not want to make a face or be disrespectful, and told her it was hurtful. I further explained a lot of the times when students use it they don’t mean it as a slight towards the gay community, but it is hurtful and they do not realize the gravity the word has.
I also took this as an opportunity to say you should never say the phrase, “That’s retarded.”
Recently I had a conversation with my partner about the usage of the phrase, “That’s gay.” and he said it didn’t bother him anymore and it should be about what is in someone’s heart. I just thought to myself at the same time we never know what is in someone’s heart. I firmly believe the phrase should not be used in that way at all. It bothers me whenever someone says it.
When someone says, “That’s so gay.” what do you think about it?
Today is Day of Silence and here is my poster! I feel Spock, played by Zachary Quinto, and George Takei would approve! How are you breaking the silence?
Three weeks ago I gave a speech to at least 170 high school students on anti-gay bullying. Can say if I ever had stage fright it is completely gone now!
I was part of a panel alongside members of The Anti-Defamation League, Aspen Pointe, NAACP, and a mother who had a gay son who died years ago from HIV. We all had the same message to make, but from various perspectives.
I introduced myself to the students and explained I was representing youth who identified as LGBT an acronym which stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender.
I wanted to talk about the anti-gay bullying taking place in schools. I let them know my organization understands bullying happens to students for many reasons whether it be because they look different, sound different or act different, but what is important is for all students to feel safe.
For every one LGBT student who is bullied there are four straight students who are bullied based on their perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.
I mentioned the statistics of LGBT youth who are bullied and the consequences.
Then I spent time talking about actions schools can take for LGBT students to feel safer in schools.
Last I said this to all the students in the room, “Know that it does get better. After high school things get better, but at the same time it is not fair to ask you to wait that long. I challenge everyone in this room to make things better right now. This can easily be done by treating others as you would like to be treated with dignity and respect.”
As I finished my speech I received a round of applause.
I received compliments from the members of the other organizations and thanks from students who put together this panel. I had students from this school who also attend Inside/Out shout my name and run up to me on stage and give me a group hug.
Two students came up to me after the event and thanked me for being there. They said they were really glad I was there and that my speech inspired them.
I told them they totally made my day! D’awwwwwwwwww!
