Take a Stand Against Gay Bullying

Does it really get better?

Last month, Jamey Rodemeyer, a 14-year-old Buffalo, New York teen committed suicide after relentless bullying. Before he ended his life, he created an "It gets better video" where he mentioned his role model: "Lady Gaga, she makes me so happy and she lets me know that I was born this way. So that's my advice to you from her, you were born this way. And all you have to do is just hold your head up and you'll go far." Rodemeyer reached out for help on the internet, only to endure more incessant bullying.

In the spirit of teenagers like Rodemeyer, October 20th is Spirit Day, an annual celebration on which people, schools, companies, etc., wear purple in an effort to raise anti-gay awareness. It's a day to take a stand against anti-gay bullying and to celebrate the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender youth.

Teenagers need to know that they are OK, that they are unique and special just the way they are. The more this message proliferates our media, our social media sites and conversations, the less our youth will feel hopeless and helpless.

We hope you'll take a moment of silence to remember the lives all teenagers who committed suicide after suffering relentless bullying. We invite you to join us today in solidarity and show your spirit by wearing purple. Then, we want you to continue to think about what you can do to reach out to a teen in need.

Whether you're gay, straight, black, white or whatever spectrum you identify with, we all know how it feels to be taunted and treated differently because of our differences. Change starts with you. All it takes is one small act or conversation.

Take Action:

1. This week and beyond, we hope you are imbued and empowered by the stories of others speaking up and speaking out -- we challenge you to think of just one thing you can do to raise awareness about LGBT issues (Wear purple, or check out GLAAD's site to purple(fy) your FB or Twitter page.)
2. Blog about an LGBT issue
3. Have a conversation about it, talk to the youth in your life and let them know that it isn't OK to make fun of anyone for any reason
4. Facebook and Tweet about your favorite inspiring LGBT solidarity story. This blog post is one of my favorite stories of solidarity.

With each and every small action, I believe it does get better.

Rodemeyer's final Facebook post was taken from Lady Gaga's song The Queen on his Facebook page, he wrote: 'Don't forget me when I come crying to heaven's door.'

 

Follow Toan Lam on Twitter: www.twitter.com/GoInspireGo

Comments

[Toan Lam]

01:05 AM on 11/19/2011

Thank you for the thoughtful responses. I believe that we all have to do something, even if it is one small thing to inspire compassion... little things (with the right intent) ripple out to big changes.

[QuinnSmith]

07:23 AM on 10/23/2011

Bullying is not a simple problem our child encounters in their lives. It now becomes a serious and crucial problem not only for our families but also the community as well. A child's life can change by any bullying experience. Equality for men,women, and even gay's and lesbian should be heard. As a parent , I always found it a fine line between wanting to protect your teenager no matter what gender they may be and giving them the freedom they want as how they want to protect themselves. I found this blog and it had the perfect solution: http://www.radicalparenting.com/2011/08/07/awesome-phone-safety-device-for-teens-safekidzone/

[StarDagger]

12:39 PM on 10/21/2011

I think it needs to start with the Teachers setting a tone for tolerance for all diversity.
If the classroom accepts and explores many different areas of life, then the students might come to the realization that having gay classmates is fine. At very least the bullies would realize that they are not going to get away with that type of behavior.

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