Where's the Zero-Tolerance Policy for Bullying?

So now we come to gay bullying, which seems, somehow, to be in a different class from other garden-variety bullying. Why is that?

"While we have openly gay politicians and gay characters on television, the reality of life still seems dire for some of these young people," said Michael Cole, spokesman for Human Rights Campaign, a national gay rights group. Despite increasing tolerance for gays on some fronts, the most-heard insult at schools is, "That's so gay," he said.

So often bullying is based on rejection -- really, the inner rejection of parts of ourselves that we cannot or do not wish to own or acknowledge. Think of the government scandals or the church scandals (I won't name names, we all know them) focused on who's gay and who isn't. Who says he is and who says he isn't? Who accepts it and who denies it?

Truth to tell, who cares?

Why does it matter what people choose to do with their own bodies and those of other consenting adults? I mean, really, Seth. Really, Amy? I'm pretty sure neither Seth Meyers of Weekend Update on SNL nor Amy Poehler of Parks & Recreation gives a hoot about what we're doing behind closed doors. Really.

But that's not the real issue, is it? It's what we're doing with the doors wide open that is the problem.

Gay bullying, purple people-eater bullying, ethnic bullying. It doesn't really matter. It's time we not only put a stop to bullying, but more, that we adopt a zero-tolerance policy on bullying of all kinds. Read that again: zero-tolerance. Zero, as in none, nada, zip. No bullying now and in perpetuity.

Dan Savage, author of advice column Savage Love, started It'll Get Better, a video campaign to help gay teens fend off self-rejection and despair. In the same vein, a pride of gay comedians gathered at the Gotham Comedy Club to add their hilarious two cents.

The first time I saw it, it made me cry. And that's really what I don't understand. Why aren't we all up in arms? Why aren't we all crying? Why aren't we all tired of how separate we feel from each other?

Why can't we just learn to get along?

For spiritual nourishment, visit Dr. Susan Corso's website and blog, Seeds for Sanctuary. Follow her on Twitter @PeaceCorso and Friend her on Facebook.