September 19, 2012

Calling All Allies: A Student’s Account of the Importance of Allies

When I came out in the fall of my 8th grade year, I felt alone. I was the first openly lesbian kid in my school’s history, and no one knew what to do about it.

Then I found Ally Week. Ally Week brings all people who support equality together and has them pledge to intervene, if they safely can, when they see bullying.

Ally Week is a time when you and your friends can stand up and say, “You know what? Bullying and name-calling needs to stop.”

I was afraid to do an assembly about Ally Week at my middle school. I still remember walking onto the stage in the gym. I looked toward my classmates, but could only make out silhouettes. The bright cream-colored rays from the stage lights burned my eyes.  My cheeks were warm with fear.  I raised the microphone to my mouth, the black plastic slick with my sweat.

I began. I made a plea to my school, my classmates, and my teachers to stand with me, to end bullying in our school, and to pledge to no longer be bystanders. As I walked off the stage, I licked my chapped lips and wished I could take it back.

At the end of assembly, I waited until everyone left and followed them out of the gym. The second the door shut behind me and I looked up, tears pooled in my eyes. A crescent moon of my classmates surrounded me, smiling and clapping. People asked where they could sign the Ally Week pledge and how they could continue to be supportive.

From that moment on, I felt like I belonged. I had a community of people who were committed to making our school safe.

This is why I urge you to participate in Ally Week. This is your chance to tell your classmates that they all deserve to be safe. This is your chance to stand up and say that equality matters. This is your chance to be the difference between bullied kids in your school feeling alone, and feeling supported. Don’t miss it.

Amelia Roskin-Frazee
San Francisco, CA
10th grade student

Want to do something for Ally Week? Take the Ally pledge and find other ways to show your support.

   

About Juliann DiNicola

       

Juliann DiNicola is a part of the Community Initiatives department at GLSEN- the Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network. Before working for GLSEN, Juliann was an educator with Girls Inc. and is an AmeriCorps alumni. Juliann studied Social Science Education and History at the University of Central Florida. She enjoys FRIENDS re-runs and cereal.