Recent Student Suicides Hit Close to Home For NYT Blogger

Charles M. Blow, writer for the New York Times, wrote a piece about the recent 11-year old suicides of Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover and Jaheem Herrera and the need for action. He cited GLSEN's research report, From Teasing to Torment: School Climate in America” that reports students are more likely to be subjected to homophobic bullying than bullying for most other reasons.

At the end of the article was a touching section about his own family, and why these two suicides will not be in vain.

...I am the father of 11 year-old twins. I will give them extra hugs and kisses tonight in memory of [Carl and Jaheem]. I will teach them to be even more tolerant, in memory of you. I will make sure that they know that I am always there if they need an ear or a shoulder, in memory of you. I will let them know, when the waters get choppy, that the storm will always pass, in memory of you. And, I will make sure that they know in no uncertain terms that whomever they grow up to be, I will love them always and forever. This too I will do in memory of you.

We will soldier on in your stead. You rest in ours.

• Two Little Boys (New York Times Opinion 'By the Numbers')
  

Top 10 Companies for LGBT Employees, 2 Are On GLSEN's List

Two of GLSEN's Respect Awards honorees made Diversity Inc.'s list of top 10 companies for LGBT employees-IBM (no. 4 on the list) and a recipient of this year's Respect Award KPMG (no. 6).

Congratulations!

• The DiversityInc Top 10 Companies for LGBT Employees List (Diversity Inc.)
  

Ban On Rainbows Lifted

PEORIA, AZ – Peoria Unified School District has assured the American Civil Liberties Union that it will no longer prevent a gay 14-year-old student from wearing a rainbow wristband at school, following an ACLU letter that demanded that the school district rescind its ban on the wristband.

• Arizona School Agrees To Lift Rainbow Ban Following ACLU Demand Letter (ACLU)

ThinkB4YouSpeak Keeps Making An Impact

An online news magazine called Suite 101, recently ran a story about GLSEN and the Ad Council's Think Before You Speak Campaign six months after its launch, the campaign is still making an impact.

• The Think Before You Speak Campaign (Suite101)
  

Outpouring Of Support at Carl Walker-Hoover's Funeral

In addition to GLSEN's Executive Director Eliza Byard, hundreds of supporters came out for Carl Walker-Hoover's funeral services on Monday.

Rev. Hugh A Bair's eulogy included this statement, “The name calling must stop; the bullying must stop.”

• Hundreds attend funeral for anti-gay bully victim (356gay.com)
  

Anderson Cooper 360 Covers the Carl Walker-Hoover Tragedy

Tuesday, Anderson Cooper covered the Carl Walker-Hoover tragedy. Check it out.

Bullied New York Students Fight Back With a Lawsuit

It's been a very busy few weeks for safe schools news. Lambda Legal, with the assistance of Kirkland & Ellis LLP, filed a lawsuit on April 8 on behalf of Charlie Pratt, who endured years of anti-gay harassment at Indian River High School, and his sister Ashley Petranchuk, who is trying to start a GSA on that campus.

Here are some of the conditions Charlie endured:

Students attacked him relentlessly with antigay and sexist slurs including names like "faggot," "sissy," "queer," and "fudgepacker," often in the presence of teachers who failed to intervene. Students also pushed him into walls and lockers, threatened him, threw food and other objects at him, spat on him, and vandalized his locker with antigay slurs. Staff members at the high school joined the harassment by ridiculing Charlie with stereotypically effeminate gestures in front of other students.

• Lambda Legal Files Federal Antigay Bias Lawsuit Against Upstate New York School District on Behalf of Student and Her Brother (Lambda Legal, Press Release)
  

Message from GLSEN's ED Eliza Byard regarding her conversation with the Walker family

GLSEN's Executive Director Eliza Byard has spoken with the family of Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover, the 11-year-old boy who took his own life Monday after enduring constant bullying, including daily anti-gay language, at school. Carl did not identify as gay.

Read GLSEN's initial press release about the bullying and suicide here.

Eliza's message to Day of Silence supporters:

I want you to know that I have been in contact with the Walker family regarding the suicide of 11-year-old Carl Walker-Hoover this past Monday. I have extended sincere condolences to the family on behalf of the entire GLSEN network, explained our mission to end bullying and harassment of all students, regardless of sexual orientation and gender expression, and asked for – and received – Carl’s mother’s permission to talk about Carl’s story in the context of the Day of Silence next week. The Day of Silence will fall on what would have been Carl’s 12th birthday. On the most recent call, a family member said, “Even though this event is on Carl’s birthday, we believe it is important that his story be told. Whether or not a student is gay this language should not be used to insult others.” I have expressed to the family GLSEN’s collective resolve to do all in our power to heed his mother’s call to action and ensure that in the future no more students suffer as Carl did.


Eliza

Dr. Byard, 'I'm still stuck on falling behind New England'

Massachusetts and Connecticut beat New York state to the pink altar. GLSEN's Executive Director Dr. Eliza Byard, "I’m still stuck on falling behind New England,” she said. “They’re supposed to be the stodgy, Puritanical ascetics, while we’re the freewheeling, cosmopolitan Dutch capitalists.”

• Another Blow to the Self-Regard of New York (NY Times)
  

Honesty Pays Off For San Diego Teacher

Here's a story about a teacher who was open with her class. In the end, her students learned a lesson in respect.

• Ending hate language begins in kindergarten (SD Gay and Lesbian Times)
  

Keep on Pushing

A guest post by Amena J., a GLSEN staff member:

This post was supposed to be a report back on GLSEN Southern Maine’s GSA Night. Wednesday the Chapter hosted an interfaith forum featuring Bishop Gene Robinson. As you can imagine the Chapter was thrilled to host an event with such an esteemed guest. I decided to fly to Portland from DC for this event. I too was excited to meet someone who has made an impact on the LGBT and faith communities.

Due to numerous travel debacles involving two planes, a bus and three states I made it to the interfaith forum 20 minutes before it was over. Frustrated and disappointed I sat and listened to the end of talks by other clergy at the forum.

Afterwards a flock of students went to Bishop Robinson for photo ops and more discussion about the speech that I never heard. I did get to meet the Bishop he shook my hand and was genuinely sympathetic to my dilemma. Bishop Robinson ended the evening with a moment of silence and closing remarks.



So what to write? As I drove to my hotel I labored over how to sum up an evening that wasn’t. After a day composed of almost 12 hours of travel and aggravation I was weary. Then it hit me. Maybe this trip was one big metaphor. It may seem cliché but sometimes we need to be reminded of a basic lesson, never give up.

On Wednesday I encountered obstacle after obstacle. It seemed the harder I tried to get to Portland the worse things got. At one point I considered heading back to DC. I’m glad I didn’t do that. Although, I did not get to hear his speech I did reach my goal of meeting Bishop Robinson. What little of the event I participated in was wonderful.

Several of you reading this blog are going to participate in the Day of Silence. Many of you have encountered some mighty struggles along the way. If you are an activist or organizer you know how hard it can be to keep going day after day. The world throws many obstacles in you path and yet you press on. Although your journey may be long and you may get weary, know that you will reach your goal.

Wishing you a wonderful Day of Silence,

Amena

Samantha's Story Colors Proposed Safe Schools Bill

North Carolina's General Assembly is considering an anti-bullying bill that includes sexual orientation and gender identity and expression. A student with first person experience can tell you why it's important for the bill to spell out this protection.

• Eliminate 'bullycide' now (Pam's House Blend)
• Samantha's story (Prevent School Violence NC)
  

#4 And Counting, Vermont OK's Same Sex Marriage!

"Separate but equal" status for LGBT couples in Vermont is over...

Vermont has become the fourth state to legalize gay marriage — and the first to do so with a legislature's vote.

The Legislature voted Tuesday to override Gov. Jim Douglas' veto of a bill allowing gays and lesbians to marry. The vote was 23-5 to override in the state Senate and 100-49 to override in the House. Under Vermont law, two-thirds of each chamber had to vote for override.

• Vermont legalizes gay marriage with veto override (Chron.com)
  

Lawsuit to Layout Anti-Bully Program Sparked By Student Suicide

From the GLSEN.org website:

The parents of an Ohio boy who took his own life two years ago after enduring constant anti-LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) bullying and harassment are suing Mentor High School in hopes the school will implement an effective and comprehensive anti-bullying program...

"As a parent myself, I can't fathom surviving the pain of losing a child, or working through the rage of feeling that other adults did not take sufficient care of your child while your child was in their hands," GLSEN Executive Director Eliza Byard said. "But Janis and William Mohat are working to build a lasting legacy out of this tragedy, by trying to ensure that no other student has to endure what Eric did.

"Bullying and harassment are endemic problems in far too many schools, especially anti-LGBT bullying and harassment. Despite this fact, far too many schools look the other way."

• Parents Sue Ohio School to Implement Anti-Bullying Program after Son Takes His Own Life (GLSEN.org)

UK GSAs: 'Everyone is coming out of their shell...'

Gay Straight Alliances are not a big part of secondary school life yet in the UK but one organization is working to fix that:

The Gay Straight Alliance Swindon held an education day yesterday at Swindon College to help train students in dealing with different forms of bullying.

The group hopes the seven teenagers involved will now be able to set up similar groups in their own schools to help others...

“People coming in have been a bit shy, but over the day everyone is coming out of their shell. This day is open to all young people between the ages of 13 and 19.”

• Let’s stand against homophobic bullies (Swindon Advertiser)
  

Secretary Duncan Lays Out Stimulus Spending Money

It's a good day for schools in America.

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today started rolling out $44 billion in economic-stimulus aid for education that comes with new teacher-quality reporting requirements for states and districts, and also with significantly more spending flexibility on school construction than many administrators had expected.

You may remember GLSEN supporters and student leaders met with Secretary Duncan during it's Safe Schools Lobby Day this year. At that meeting, Secretary Duncan affirmed a commitment to make schools safe for every student, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression.

• Stimulus Guidance Spotlights Teacher Evaluations (Education Week)
  

Iowa's Same Sex Marriage Ban: 'Unconstitutional'

Good news from Iowa that will help support LGBT families and children:

...The Iowa Supreme Court issued a unanimous ruling Friday finding that the state's same-sex marriage ban violates the constitutional rights of gay and lesbian couples, making Iowa the third state where marriage is legal.

In its decision, the court upheld a 2007 district court judge's ruling that the law violates the state constitution. It strikes the language from Iowa code limiting marriage to only between a man a woman.

"The court reaffirmed that a statute inconsistent with the Iowa constitution must be declared void even though it may be supported by strong and deep-seated traditional beliefs and popular opinion," said a summary of the ruling issued by the court.

• Iowa court says gay marriage ban unconstitutional (Associated Press via Google)