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PFLAG Phoenix Action Alert |
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'Keeping Families Together' for over 30 Years! |
May 4, 2009 |
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 Bullying -- Is a Kid You Know in Danger? Bullying has been a problem as far back as anyone can remember. Many adults can attest to being bullied at one point or another during their high school years, and some of us still carry those emotional wounds with us today. However, in recent years, bullying has become even uglier and more pervasive as kids have found new ways to exploit and badger other kids at increasingly younger ages.
Certainly, gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and "questioning" (GLBTQ) youth are at higher risk of being bullied, especially those who "stand out" for any reason. But, it's also true that straight kids who are incorrectly perceived to be GLBTQ and other straight kids who are simply targeted by bullies with anti-GLBTQ epitaphs stand to suffer the same brutalities inflicted by these bullies.
Unfortunately, there were two high-profile bullying tragedies that occurred last month. In two separate cases, two 11-year-olds took their own lives as a way to escape their tormentors. Bullying has reached epidemic proportions. What can be done? What can you do to make a difference? Please read on . . . .
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 TODAY: Ask your Representative to Co-Sponsor the Safe Schools Improvement Act The Safe Schools Improvement Act, a federal anti-bullying bill, will be introduced in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, May 5, 2009 by California Rep. Linda Sanchez. We need your help Monday, May 4th to add to the bipartisan list of 34 cosponsors. The more cosponsors, the bigger the message Congress will receive that it needs to act.
ACTION: Call your Representative on Monday, May 4th and ask her or him to cosponsor the Safe Schools Improvement Act to establish a federal anti-bullying policy. Click here for instructions.
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 Bullied to Death: Two Devastated Moms Speak Out
On Wednesday's Oprah: Just days after burying their sons, two moms meet on our stage. (These are the mothers of the two 1-year-olds who took their own lives last month after enduring the torment of bullyies.) Then, at 13 years old, he says he can't make it anymore-an emergency intervention you need to see. Oprah airs locally in Phoenix at 3pm and 8pm on Channel 3.
Related Resources from Oprah.com:
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 Community Forum: "Justice for All: Creating Safe Schools for LGBT Students"
Do you have the right to be "out" in school and express yourself? Can you start a GSA on campus? These are some of the questions students, advocates and allies will discuss at a community forum on the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 7th at Westside Community Center, 715 West Fifth Street, in Tempe.
The forum, which is presented by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Arizona and co-sponsored by GLSEN Phoenix and Equality Arizona, is entitled "Justice for All: Creating Safe Schools for LGBT Students." It is free and open to the public. [Details] |
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