Making LGBT Students Feel Safe and Supported

by Michael Jones · 2009-10-20 12:09:00 UTC
Topics:

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.

Michael Jones is a Change.org Editor. He has worked in the field of human rights communications for a decade, most recently for Harvard Law School.
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