If you have something to say...
Say it on the Huffington Post
If you have something to say...
Say it on the Huffington Post
Is the difference that teasing can be concealed and described as harmless whereas bullying is clearly harmful?
Having lived in New York for nearly 13 years, I've found that not much has changed for me as far as bullying goes. Bullying within the gay community is very rarely discussed, but gay people are really mean to each other sometimes.
To celebrate my one-year anniversary writing for The Huffington Post, here is a gift for you at the end of our shortest month: my shortest column. G...
State laws, codes of conduct and school board policies are great first steps in the process of safeguarding and bringing equality to LGBT students. However, they are not enough. School superintendents and principals must do their part by creating inclusive school environments.
I decided I would attempt to climb all seven of the highest peaks on each continent to raise awareness and funds for the Trevor Project, to help more LGBTQ youth get the help they need and to call attention to the important issue of LGBTQ youth suicide. This March I leave for Mt. Everest.
Except for a few blips, I always presumed that the overall reaction to my being an openly gay teacher and a gay author was reasonably benign. Then the following occurred.
Based on a powerful spoken word problem, Shane Koyczan's To This Day Project explores the profound and lasting impact that bullying can have on an individual.
British charity ChildLine is urging that kids as young as 5 be taught Internet safety, telling the BBC that the issue is an "e-safety time bomb" and "one of the biggest child protection issues of our time."
Harassment isn't new. It happens in every industry. But the technology field is arguably unique, not only because women are so grossly underrepresented, but because when it happens, it tends to happen publicly, over the Internet with lightning speed.
If Medley is such a Bible believer, she should consider this verse in 1 Timothy 2:12 - "I do not permit a woman to teach or hold authority over a man, she must remain silent. "
Kids can be mean. Perhaps it's part of their exploration of boundaries and their power in social circles. As parents, we can teach our own kids the importance of kindness, respect and treating others as we want them to be treated. And, we can guide them to stand up to bullies.
By most measures, it's never been a better time to be gay. But all the encouraging steps toward a more accepting America may not mean much when you're called "faggot," and slammed into a locker.
Campfield's latest version of the bill would require teachers or school administrators to out suspected gay youth to their parents. I suspect that Campfield misunderstands how kids, even young kids, figure out who they are -- and how important it is not to interfere with that process.
There are a lot of people working hard and spending a lot of money to make religion a hazard to LGBT people. Many other people of faith may deeply disagree with that treatment. However, when people of faith stand idly by, faith will continue to be a more of a hazard than a benefit.
The lyricist and composer of the song "You're Not Alone" both felt a tremendous sense of responsibility to create a song that would resonate with LGBT youth and provide them with assurance and hope amidst hostile environments.
