GLSEN Executive Director Eliza Byard's Comments on White House Reception

GLSEN Executive Director Eliza Byard on attending Monday's LGBT Pride reception at the White House, before which GLSEN student leader Conrad Honicker and his parents got to meet President Obama and the First Lady ptivately:

The reception was clearly a watershed event, even as there remains so much to be done to advance full equality for LGBT people and safer schools for all. But there was something even more remarkable about the day, above and beyond the event itself. Yesterday, GLSEN student organizer Conrad Honicker and his family had an opportunity to meet privately with the President and Mrs. Obama for a few moments before the President entered to make his remarks.

Along with a small group of other organizations’ constituents (a PFLAG mother and her son, a pair of gay dads and their children with the Family Equality Council, and an older lesbian couple who are members of SAGE), Conrad and his parents were taken aside to meet with the President and Mrs. Obama. They had a few moments to tell their stories and ask for the President and First Lady’s help in making schools safer for all students affected by anti-LGBT bias and harassment in school. And, as Conrad told me afterwards, shaking slightly with excitement as he spoke, the President told Conrad that his pointy silver wingtips were, without a doubt, “The coolest shoes that have ever set foot in the White House.”

Shoes and all, Conrad and his parents were tremendous advocates for GLSEN. Over the course of the reception, they and I spoke with other key Administration representatives, including David Axelrod, Senior Advisor to the President, and various members of the Office of Public Engagement. I got to speak with Mrs. Obama immediately after the President’s remarks, to reinforce the ask that Conrad had made, and mention the Safe Schools Improvement Act once again.

GLSEN Student Leader Conrad Honicker Talks About Meeting Obama, First Lady

GLSEN student leader Conrad Honicker and his parents had an opportunity to speak with President Obama and the First Lady directly before Monday's LGBT Pride event at the White House.

Conrad blogged about his experience and was nice enough to vlog about it in the GLSEN office today.

Excerpts from his blog:

After lunch we casually walked to the White House with a group called [Senior Action] in a Gay Environment (SAGE), and met up with the rest of the reception outside the gates by the East Room. There we mingled in the heat with rich gay people and prominent gay rights activist. Notably, I was introduced to Gene Robinson - one my dearest heros. He was fabulous!

When in the White House we mingled some more before being ushered into the "Green Room" (which is green), and lined up to meet the President. At this point I was forcing myself to breathe; "I'm on a mission!" I kept thinking to myself. On entry into the room, I heard Obama's poignant and comforting voice greet me. His handshake was firm. Instantly, "Hello Mr. President! Thank you for being a visible ally for teens like me." No real response, and then:

"Those are THE coolest shoes that have ever been in the White House!"

No time to think about compliments from the President. He wasn't listening so I moved to Michelle who I feel I might have fallen into her embrace (which makes sense because this was called a "clutch"). I told her how important it was for her and her husband to stand up and be allies, and she commented that it was far more important that I keep doing the work I was doing, and I said, "Yes, but it makes the difference it you were visible!"

Snap. Picture taken. My clarion call to action was over in less than 45 seconds. My parents and I delivered our message and huddled outside the room giggling like children.

...

Finally, Michelle and Barack were off - no more mingling for them. I smiled and waves and mouthed, "Thank you!" to Michelle, and without missing a beat, she opened her arms for a hug, and beckoned me to her; I swiftly fell into her arms, and whispered one last time, "Thank you for being an ally - it means the world to me!"

Conrad's vlog:

Jonathan Del Arco of 'The Closer' Talks About His Work with GLSEN and His Character's Coming Out

The episode aired last night. Jonathan works with GLSEN and has done amazing work raising awareness of the need to make schools safe for all students.

The GLSEN Respect Awards - Los Angeles are October 9. GLSEN is honoring HBO, David Bohnett, Shonda Rhimes and our Student of the Year.

ET's web story on Jonathan is here.

Photos of GLSEN at the White House

More here.

GLSEN Student Leader Speaks with President Obama, First Lady

Today, a GLSEN student advocate and his parents spoke directly to the President and First Lady, asking for their support for all students around the country who are afraid to go to school each day.

Just months ago, Conrad Honicker faced death threats from classmates at West High School in Knoxville, TN, for being out and for being an advocate for change. Today, he and his parents stood in the White House's Blue Room with the President and Mrs. Obama, asking them to be a visible allies for LGBT students.

Learn more about Conrad's experiences in Knoxville here and here.

GLSEN Heads to the White House (Photo)

GLSEN Executive Director Eliza Byard and GLSEN student leader Conrad Honicker talk safe schools with David Axelrod, Senior Advisor to President Obama, at today's LGBT Pride reception at the White House.

More to come shortly.

In the Life Segment on LGBT Youth 40 Years After Sonewall

In the Life's latest episode, airing on PBS stations across the country, takes a look at the LGBT movement 40 years after Stonewall. In the segment below, In the Life examines what it's like to be an LGBT youth today. As GLSEN founder Kevin Jennings says in the piece, "2009 is the best of times and the worst of times to be an LGBT youth."

If you're interested in research on what LGBT youth experience in school, check out GLSEN's 2007 National School Climate Survey.

Bravo TV Video - Addressing the Gay Comment

'Real Housewives of New Jersey' Discuss Whether 'That's So Gay' is Offensive (It is)

During last night's "Real Housewives of New Jersey" reunion show part 1 (viewable here), the wives discussed the use of the term 'that's so gay' by one of the husbands in an earlier episode.

We want to first commend Danielle and host Andy Cohen for pointing out what 83.1% of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) youth told us in the 2007 National School Climate Survey of more than 6,000 LGBT youth: 'That's so gay' is offensive.

The 83.1% of LGBT students said the term caused them to be bothered or distressed to some degree. Oh, and by the way, 99% of LGBT students had heard the term in school.

As the Housewives themselves pointed out: it's everywhere. But that doesn't make it OK to say.

GLSEN has partnered with the Ad Council to educate teens, many of whom use it without even realizing what they are saying (that gay=something bad), about just how offensive the term is. The campaign is called Think B4 You Speak and features TV PSAs with Hilary Duff and Wanda Sykes. The spots can be viewed at http://www.thinkb4youspeak.com/.

You may have seen them airing around the country (or referenced by Dane Cook in his stand-up routine).

So what's wrong with the term? Well, aside from the fact it's demeaning, such language is pervasive and fosters a hostile climate for LGBT students and those perceived to be LGBT. Nearly 9 out of 10 LGBT students said they'd been harassed at school in the past school year, and 60.8% said they feel unsafe at school because of their sexual orientation.

To borrow from one of the TV spots:

Imagine if who you are were used as an insult. When you say "that's so gay" do you realize what you say? Knock it off!

Check out Andy Cohen's blog about the show.

North Carolina Anti-Bullying Bill Heads to Governor

From our release:

NEW YORK - The North Carolina House today sent an anti-bullying bill with enumerated categories including sexual orientation and gender identity to Governor Bev Perdue.

If Perdue signs the law, North Carolina will become the eighth state to implement an anti-bullying law that includes protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Oregon became the seventh state last week.

“This is a great leap forward for students in North Carolina, and we salute the legislature for taking this crucial step to ensure their safety and well-being,” GLSEN Executive Director Eliza Byard said. “We urge the governor to sign this bill into law to ensure that North Carolina schools are places where all students are free to learn.”

GLSEN commends the efforts of Equality North Carolina and all North Carolina advocates for bringing the state one step closer to making sure all students are safe in school.

About GLSEN
GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, is the leading national education organization focused on ensuring safe schools for all students. Established nationally in 1995, GLSEN envisions a world in which every child learns to respect and accept all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. GLSEN seeks to develop school climates where difference is valued for the positive contribution it makes to creating a more vibrant and diverse community. For information on GLSEN's research, educational resources, public policy advocacy, student organizing programs and educator training initiatives, visit www.glsen.org.

NC Step Closer to Passing Anti-Bullying Law to Protect All Students

eHuge victory in North Carolina tonight. The House gave initial approval to the School Violence Prevention Act, an anti-bullying law requiring school districts to implement anti-bullying policies that enumerate categories often targeted by bullies, including sexual orientation and gender identity.

The bill has already passed the Senate. The House will vote one more time, possibly as early as tomorrow. If the bill passes again, it goes to Gov. Bev Purdue to sign into law, which she has indicated she will do.

Congratulations and thanks to Equality North Carolina for all the incredible work leading up to this point.

Story here.

Transphobic KRXQ Show Issues Apology, 11 Companies Pull Ads

More than a week after Rob Williams and Arnie States of KRXQ's “Rob, Arnie and Dawn in the Morning” seemed to welcome violence against transgender youth as part of an appaling hate-filled show, the show has finally gotten around to issuing a statement apologizing Sunday.

GLAAD representatives spoke with the station manager today, and the show has agreed to bring on a transgender person and a parent of a transgender youth June 11.

In more good news, thanks to the work of GLAAD, Huffington Post, Pam's House Blend, Perez Hilton and advocates like many of you, 11 advertisers have decided to pull their ads from the show. GLAAD has some great updates on the controversy here and a list of advertisers doing the right thing here (though it's missing the most recent, Guitar Center).

The statement:

TO OUR LOYAL ROB, ARNIE AND DAWN FOLLOWERS,
WE HAVE FAILED YOU. AS A SHOW, AS PEOPLE, AS BROADCASTERS, WE HAVE SIMPLY FAILED ON ALMOST EVERY LEVEL.

WE PRESENTED OUR OPINIONS ON A VERY SENSITIVE SUBJECT IN A HATEFUL, CHILDISH AND CRUDE FASHION; AND THEN, GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO RETRACT THOSE REMARKS, WE DEFENDED THEM.

SINCE THEN, YOU, OUR LOYAL LISTENERS, HAVE MADE IT CLEAR TO US THAT WE WENT TOO FAR. THE RESPONSE HAS BEEN OVERWHELMING. NONE OF YOU SAID THAT WE COULDN’T HAVE OPINIONS, YET SO MANY OF YOU SAID THAT THE WAY WE GAVE THEM CROSSED THE LINE. FURTHER, YOU SAID THAT OUR ATTEMPT TO MASK OUR COMMENTS AS “JOKES THAT WOULD BE UNDERSTOOD BY OUR AUDIENCE,” WAS UNACCEPTABLE.
I WOULD SAY NOW THAT IT WAS WORSE THAN THAT, IT WAS COWARDLY. YOU HAVE MADE THAT CLEAR.

WE HAVE REACHED OUT TO VARIOUS GROUPS AND ASKED FOR A CHANCE TO MAKE THIS RIGHT; TO RESPOND, WITH THEIR PARTICIPATION, TO THE EDUCATION THAT OUR AUDIENCE HAS PROVIDED US. THAT OPPORTUNITY HAS BEEN GRACIOUSLY GRANTED THIS THURSDAY MORNING, JUNE 11TH. AT 7:30 A.M.

THE WORD APOLOGY APPEARS NO WHERE IN THIS LETTER FOR A REASON. WE ALREADY HID FROM DOING THE RIGHT THING ONCE AND WE’RE NOT GOING TO MAKE THAT MISTAKE AGAIN. APOLOGIZING IN A WRITTEN, POSTED STATEMENT IS A FORM OF COWARDICE. WE WILL SAY WHAT NEEDS TO BE SAID THIS THURSDAY.ON A FINAL, PERSONAL NOTE, AS THE LEADER AND OWNER OF THE SHOW, I HAVE MADE THE DECISION THAT WE NEED TO REFRAIN FROM BROADCASTING NEW EPISODES UNTIL WE CAN ADDRESS THIS ON THURSDAY . WE WILL RETURN TO THE AIR AT 7:30 A.M. JUNE 11TH.

ROB WILLIAMS

ROB, ARNIE AND DAWN

Knoxville School Blocking Pro-LGBT Internet Sites: 'It Was a glitch'

Schools in Knox County Tennessee where computers were blocking a variety of educational and political LGBT Web sites but failed to block websites promoting 'reparative therapy' announced that the problem was a glitch in the system...

Superintendent Jim McIntyre told the county school board on Wednesday the school system was working on the matter before a lawsuit was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union against the Knox County and Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County school systems for denying access.

Hey there Knox County and Metropolitan Nashville, and Davidson County students! Check out the blog archive to the left to catch up on all the news over the past few months.

• Knoxville restores GLBT web access to schools (365 Gay)
• Tennessee Schools End Censorship Of Gay Educational Web Sites After ACLU Lawsuit (ACLU Press Release)
  

Sacramento Radio Hosts Seem to Encourage Violence Against Transgender Youth

Rob Williams and Arnie States from the Rob, Arnie & Dawn in the Morning radio show at KRXQ made horrifying comments about transgender youth on Thursday. They addressed the controversy on today's show. They pulled back slightly in the brief part I listened to but didn't seem too apologetic (though, to be fair, I didn't listen to the whole thing).

They also congratulated themselves for recently deciding to no longer use "faggot" on air.

Here are some of the outrageous comments from Thursday, discussed in a great post by Michael Rowe at Huffington Post:

Williams and States took turns referring to [transgender] children as "idiots" and "freaks," who were just out "for attention" and had "a mental disorder that just needs to somehow be gotten out of them," either by verbal abuse on the part of the parents, or even shock therapy.

"Allowing transgenders to exist, pretty soon it becomes normal to fall in love with the animals," they said.

For his part, States bragged that if his own son were to ever dare put on a pair of high heels, States would beat his son with one of his own shoes. He urged parents whose own little boys expressed a desire to wear a dress to verbally abuse and degrade them as a viable response.

"Because you know what? Boys don't wear high heel shoes. And in my house, they definitely don't wear high heels.

"I'm going to go, 'You know what? You're a little idiot! You little dumbass!'" States sneered, adding later, "I look forward to when [the transgender children] go out into society and society beats them down. And they wind up in therapy."

GLAAD has been monitoring the situation and been in touch with the station's general manager. You can read GLAAD's original post here and yesterday's update here.

Obviously, GLSEN is outraged by the hosts' comments. Nearly 9 out of 10 transgender middle and high school students experience harassment school, according to the GLSEN report Harsh Realities: The Experiences of Transgender Youth in Our Nation's Schools.

Dr. Jill Biden Speaks at GLSEN Respect Awards

Dr. Jill Biden, a 28-year-educator and wife of the Vice President, spoke at last night’s GLSEN Respect Awards – New York gala, making the case that all students deserve to be safe in school, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression.

Biden pointed to the recent suicides of Carl Walker-Hoover and Jaheem Herrera, who had suffered constant anti-gay bullying, as part of the consequences of the “failure to confront a hostile school climate where bullying and harassment can be daily occurrences.” Sirdeaner Walker, Carl’s mother, also attended and received the GLSEN Award for Courage.

Dr. Biden’s remarks:


(Clip begins with low audio. It is corrected about half-way through.)