A second elementary school youth hanged himself last week after enduring anti-gay harassment and bullying at his school in Atlanta, Georgia. As in the case of Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover, Jaheem Herrera did not identify himself as “Gay.” But his classmates did.
I know I’ve used the phrase “epidemic proportions” here before, but ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!!!
These comments are from GLSEN on YouTube along with some videos shown below:
“Almost 90% of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students report being verbally harassed at school because of their sexual orientation. LGBT teens experience homophobic remarks and harassment throughout the school day, creating an atmosphere where they feel disrespected, unwanted and unsafe. Homophobic remarks such as thats so gay are the most commonly heard; these slurs are often unintentional and a common part of teens vernacular. Most do not recognize the consequences, but the casual use of this language often carries over into more overt harassment.
“This campaign aims to raise awareness about the prevalence and consequences of anti-LGBT bias and behavior in Americas schools. Ultimately, the goal is to reduce and prevent the use of homophobic language in an effort to create a more positive environment for LGBT teens. The campaign also aims to reach adults, including school personnel and parents; their support of this message is crucial to the success of efforts to change behavior.”
I’ve got my own plan as to how to counter-act this rising trend in our country’s public and private schools:
Find as many news sites and blogs that are covering this and related stories. TAKE TIME TO MAKE A COMMENT if available. Make sure you check the ability to receive email notification of responses.
Don’t just render an opinion – no matter how passionate it might be – offer web addresses of organizations working to educate and combat this insanity.
The more dialog we initiate, the more we will come together with others who share our concern. THIS IS NOT A GAY ISSUE. This is a SAFE SCHOOLS issue! It affects all of us. OUR CHILDREN MUST HAVE A SAFE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Here’s additional news coverage of this repeat tragedy:
Here’s three great PSA’s from GLSEN and the AdCouncil about “That’s So Gay” (include the url’s in your comments) – [NOTE: Videos propety of GLSEN. No Copyright infringement intended]
DON’T STOP THERE….Contact your local School Board to find out if they have an anti-bullying policy in place.
Write an editorial in your local paper…AND SEND IT!
Here’s a statement issued by The Trevor Projects Exec Director, Charles Robbins:
“Everyone at The Trevor Project is deeply saddened to learn about the death of Jaheem Herrera last week in DeKalb County, Georgia. Our deepest sympathies and condolences are with his family and friends during this difficult time.
“Tragically, Jaheem is now the second young person to complete suicide as the result of anti-gay bullying at school in just over two weeks. Although Jaheem did not identify as gay, anti-gay slander was the epithet of choice by his classmates and peers. Defamatory language continues to erode the self-esteem of sexual orientation and gender identity, and its consequences can be fatal as this incident so clearly demonstrates. It is time for both bullying and suicide to be addressed as the public health crises that they are. We are working closely with our colleagues at GLSEN and other national organizations to bring increased visibility and focus to this critical issue.
“The Trevor Project remains committed to supporting public policy and government initiatives that will address suicide prevention programs in every classroom across America. We will also advocate for programs that teach young people to respect one another and learn about the impact of their words and behaviors in the hope of preventing another tragic loss of life.
“To learn more about suicide prevention, warning signs and resources, please visit The Trevor Project’s Suicide Resources (http://thetrevorproject.org/info.aspx)”
Don’t just shake your head and say, “what a waste.” MAKE SOME NOISE!!!!!
NOTE: Videos are sole property of GLSEN and The Ad Council. The Trevor Project Press Release is sole property of The Trevor Project. GLSEN videos descriptions sole preperty of GLSEN and YouTube. NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED.
Watch Laurel Holloman’s awesome and sassy acceptance speech at the 2009 Bravo-TV A-List Awards Ceremony.
The Awards Ceremony, which was filmed on Sunday April 5th at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles, marked the second year Bravo chose to celebrate “the best in food, fashion, beauty, design and pop culture. The awards honor those who have made an unforgettable mark in the arts and showcase some of the leading creative minds in today’s society.” (taken from: http://www.bravotv.com/bravo-a-list-awards/about)
Winners were determined by online voters.
The L Word’s Laurel Holloman and Jennifer Beals took the prize for
“SEXIEST TV MOMENT…
Presented to the couple that made our windows steamy and our TVS fog up.”
with the infamous TiBette “Elevator Scene” from Season 5. (Incidentally, they beat out 4 other nominees, all hetero couples!)
April 17th, 2009 is this year’s official “Day of Silence” – the 13th such annual commemoration.
THIS IS AN ACTION DAY. Supporters are asked to observe a 24-hour period of silence and carry cards with them explaining to others why they are choosing not to speak on this day. The template for this card,as well as Activist Handbook, web badges, buttons and other helpful information can be obtained in English and Spanish versions at www.dayofsilence.org.
Here is what the cards say:
“Please understand my reasons for not speaking today. I am participating in the Day of Silence (DOS), a national youth movement bringing attention to the silence faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their allies. My deliberate silence echoes that silence, which is caused by anti-LGBT bullying, name-calling and harassment. I believe that ending the silence is the fi rst step toward building awareness and making a commitment to address these injustices. Think about the voices you are not hearing today.”
Another suggestion has been to wear red on that day, especially for those who may not be able to observe the silence at their jobs. Videos are also being requested to be posted on YouTube. Please see my response video below.
This is a critical issue facing this country. The statistics regarding LGBTQ youth facing bullying and physical harm at school are staggering. THIS IS NOT JUST AN LGBTQ ISSUE! We are talking about our public (and private) schools. We are talking about basic Human Rights.
Tell your friends, family and co-workers. More information can also be obtained at the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, www.glsen.org.
Talk to as many people as you can about this so that we can find solutions that will lead to SAFE SCHOOLS FOR ALL YOUTH.
On April 17th, STOP talking…and carry a card that educates people around you as to your choice.
NOTE: This video was produced by Deb Adler, author of MsQueer. I DO own the rights to this vid (woo-hoo!)
Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover, an 11-year old boy attending the New Leadership Charter School in Springfield, Massachusetts, committed suicide Monday because of ongoing taunting and bullying endured from his classmates. This boy did not identify himself as Gay, but was taunted by others nevertheless. School officials allegedly refused to do anything after repeated appeals from the boy’s mother.
This insanity has to stop. America has settled on a “safe” prejudice, that of being anti-gay. “That’s so Gay” is a common insult heard as frequently from adults in a bar or at the workplace as it is from children in school. That hundreds of children every day face ridicule, verbal and in many cases physical assault from their peers in what has come to epidemic proportions reveals a cancer that is eating away at the decency of our society. So long as we believe that there is a “safe prejudice” – NO ONE IS SAFE!
April 17th, which would have been Carl’s 12th birthday, is the 13th annual Day of Silence. On this day students across the country will observe a day of silence to emphasize the critical problem of bullying of LGBTQ youth and others in our country’s schools. Cards explaining their observation of silence are available from LGBT organizations locally. For those who cannot take part in the day-long act of silence, you are being asked to wear red to show your support. For more information go to: www.dayofsilence.org.
Here is the complete press release from GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network):
Apr 09, 2009
GLSEN Calls on Schools, Nation to Embrace Solutions to Bullying Problem
NEW YORK, April 9, 2009 – An 11-year-old Massachusetts boy, Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover, hung himself Monday after enduring bullying at school, including daily taunts of being gay, despite his mother’s weekly pleas to the school to address the problem. This is at least the fourth suicide of a middle-school aged child linked to bullying this year.
Carl, a junior at New Leadership Charter School in Springfield who did not identify as gay, would have turned 12 on April 17, the same day hundreds of thousands of students will participate in the 13th annual National Day of Silence by taking some form of a vow of silence to bring attention to anti-LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) bullying and harassment at school. The other three known cases of suicide among middle-school students took place in Chatham, Evanston and Chicago, Ill., in the month of February.
“Our hearts go out to Carl’s mother, Sirdeaner L. Walker, and other members of Carl’s family, as well as to the community suffering from this loss,” GLSEN Executive Director Eliza Byard said. “As we mourn yet another tragedy involving bullying at school, we must heed Ms. Walker’s urgent call for real, systemic, effective responses to the endemic problem of bullying and harassment. Especially in this time of societal crisis, adults in schools must be alert to the heightened pressure children face, and take action to create safe learning environments for the students in their care. In order to do that effectively, as this case so tragically illustrates, schools must deal head-on with anti-gay language and behavior.”
“As was the case with Carl, you do not have to identify as gay to be attacked with anti-LGBT language,” Byard said. “From their earliest years on the school playground, students learn to use anti-LGBT language as the ultimate weapon to degrade their peers. In many cases, schools and teachers either ignore the behavior or don’t know how to intervene.”
Nearly 9 out of 10 LGBT youth (86.2%) reported being verbally harassed at school in the past year because of their sexual orientation, nearly half (44.1%) reported being physically harassed and about a quarter (22.1%) reported being physically assaulted, according to GLSEN’s 2007 National School Climate Survey (http://www.glsen.org/cgi-bin/iowa/all/library/record/2340.html ) of more than 6,000 LGBT students.
In most cases, the harassment is unreported. Nearly two-thirds of LGBT students (60.8%) who experience harassment or assault never reported the incident to the school. The most common reason given was that they didn’t believe anything would be done to address the situation. Of those who did report the incident, nearly a third (31.1%) said the school staff did nothing in response. While LGBT youth face extreme victimization, bullying in general is also a widespread problem. More than a third of middle and high school students (37%) said that bullying, name-calling or harassment is a somewhat or very serious problem at their school, according to From Teasing to Torment. Bullying is even more severe in middle school. Two-thirds of middle school students (65%) reported being assaulted or harassed in the previous year and only 41% said they felt very safe at school.
Carl’s suicide comes about a year after eighth-grader Lawrence King was shot and killed by a fellow student in a California classroom, allegedly because he was gay.
Said Walker in the Springfield Republican: “If anything can come of this, it’s that another child doesn’t have to suffer like this and there can be some justice for some other child. I don’t want any other parent to go through this.”
About GLSEN
GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, is the leading national education organization focused on ensuring safe schools for all students. Established nationally in 1995, GLSEN envisions a world in which every child learns to respect and accept all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. GLSEN seeks to develop school climates where difference is valued for the positive contribution it makes to creating a more vibrant and diverse community. For information on GLSEN’s research, educational resources, public policy advocacy, student organizing programs and educator training initiatives, visit http://www.glsen.org.
A resolution was introduced into the House of Representatives April 2nd. GLSEN press release provides details:
NEW YORK – Reps. Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and 33 cosponsors introduced a resolution in the House of Representatives on Wednesday (H.Con.Res. 92) to recognize and support GLSEN’s 13th annual National Day of Silence on April 17.
“GLSEN would like to express our gratitude to Representatives Eliot Engel, Tammy Baldwin and the 33 cosponsors who are adding their voice to the hundreds of thousands of students who will take a vow of silence on April 17,” GLSEN Executive Director Eliza Byard said. “A week after GLSEN’s lobby day in Washington, D.C., we are already seeing the impact young people can have on our democracy.”
Students will take some form of a vow of silence on April 17 to bring attention to anti-lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) name-calling, bullying and harassment in schools. Students from more than 7,500 middle and high schools participated in 2008.
“Sadly, violence and discrimination against LGBT youth is all-too-common in American schools,” said Rep. Engel, who along with Rep. Baldwin introduced a similar resolution last year. “It is a national disgrace that students feel threatened in school simply because of their sexual orientation. As a former public school teacher, I am proud to introduce this resolution. Americans need to know that thousands of children each day go to school deprived of a happy adolescence because of the insensitivity and cruelty shown by some fellow students, teachers, staff and parents.”
Added Rep. Baldwin: “Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students continue to face pervasive harassment and victimization in schools. As students use their silence to demand safe schools, we in Congress must use our voices to support them.”
Nearly 9 out of 10 LGBT youth (86.2%) reported being verbally harassed at school in the past year because of their sexual orientation, nearly half (44.1%) reported being physically harassed and about a quarter (22.1%) reported being physically assaulted, according to GLSEN’s 2007 National School Climate Survey of more than 6,000 LGBT students.
Additionally 60.8% of LGBT students said they felt unsafe at school because of their sexual orientation, and nearly a third (32.7%) said they had missed a day of school in the past month because of feeling unsafe.
“It is tragic to have any child suffer and what makes this worse is that it is completely preventable,” Bullying and harassment of LGBT students stems from ignorance and can only be repaired with education. By helping other students, teachers, staff and parents understand the plight of LGBT students, we can help these students live a happier childhood and enable them to earn their education free from fear,” Rep. Engel said.
Charles Robbins, Executive Director of The Trevor Project, the nation’s only 24-7 Helpline for LGBTQ Youth issued this statement online and to email subscribers (of which I am one):
April 9, 2009
In light of the tragic suicide of 11-year-old Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover in Springfield, Massachusetts, which was prompted by anti-gay bullying in his school, The Trevor Project has released the following statement from Charles Robbins, executive director and CEO:
“We are saddened to learn that another valuable young life was lost this week as the result of a school environment that was not safe, accepting and inclusive of all students. We extend our deepest condolences and sympathies to the family and friends of Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover during this difficult time. This unfortunate incident serves as further testimony to the necessity for all schools to mandate suicide prevention education programs in order to help young people understand the harmful and potentially life-shattering effects of bullying, discrimination and harassment. The Trevor Project remains at the forefront of providing lifesaving guidance and vital resources to parents and educators, including our Lifeguard School Workshop Program and Trevor Survival Kit – both of which help educators constructively facilitate discussions with students about issues surrounding suicide, gender identity, sexual orientation and the impacts of language and behavior.”
To learn more about suicide prevention, warning signs and resources, please visit The Trevor Project’s Suicide Resources Web page.
A young You-Tuber, KrisFrom1992, posted this video and called for others to post video responses in support and solidarity. His plea is simple and impactful. I salute his courage in speaking out.
Another passionate plea came last year, following the murder of 15-year old Lawrence King from talk-show host Larry King.
This is from the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force press release issued April 7, 2009:
WASHINGTON, April 7 – The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force applauds the D.C. Council for its unanimous vote today to recognize marriages of same-sex couples performed in other jurisdictions. A final vote on the measure is expected next month.
Statement by Rea Carey, Executive Director
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
“We commend the D.C. Council’s vote. It marks another step toward the full recognition of same-sex couples, their families and their lives. We urge the council to affirm today’s action during its final vote on the bill, and call upon Mayor Adrian Fenty to then sign this important legislation. It is our hope that Congress will ultimately respect the District of Columbia’s passage of a just measure that will provide fair recognition of our relationships.
“As someone who is legally married in California and resides in the District of Columbia, I am personally grateful to the D.C. Council for moving to do the right thing.”
Nine years after the state of Vermont was the first state to intorduce and pass a same-sex civil union law, it became the fourth state to legalize gay marriage. It is the first state to do so through legislative action rather than through the courts.
Details and photos are contained in the following reports:
Here is the news release from the National Gay and Lesbian Task force celebrating this historic decision today:
WASHINGTON, April 7 – The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force hails the Vermont Legislature’s override today of Gov. Jim Douglas’ veto of a bill extending the freedom to marry to same-sex couples. The Senate passed the measure by 23 to 5 and the House by 100 to 49. Vermont is the first state in the nation to extend the freedom to marry through the legislative process.
Statement by Rea Carey, Executive Director
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
“Vermont is once again making history. Nine years ago it did so when it became the first state to grant legal recognition of same-sex relationships through its civil unions law; today, it became the first state Legislature to pass and enact a marriage equality measure.
“This is a momentous day and significant turning point in the struggle for the equal treatment of our relationships. The enactment of this bill affirms that only marriage can provide the protections, dignity and respect that the institution bestows. This vote also recognizes that civil unions simply fall short in ensuring same-sex couples are treated equally under the law.
“We salute the courage and commitment of the Vermont state legislative leadership in pursuing this measure’s passage – even successfully overriding the governor’s veto. We especially extend our heartfelt thanks to Vermont Freedom to Marry for its hard work and tireless advocacy for the freedom to marry.”
This press release was first published March 15th 2009. MsQueer is pleased to be one of the sites that will be providing updated information regarding this exciting event as it becomes available!
United L Events (ULE) today announced they will hold The L Word Down Under Convention, featuring actors from the critically acclaimed, ground breaking lesbian drama THE L WORD. The show chronicles the lives of the iconic characters that have played a pivotal role in changing the cultural perceptions of lesbians and the transgender community both on and off the screen.
Actors, Laurel Holloman (Tina Kennard), Rachel Shelley (Helena Peabody) and Leisha Hailey (Alice Pieszecki), have confirmed their intention to attend the Convention. ULE are currently in negotiations with three further actors from the principal cast of the series to attend.
The Convention will be held in Sydney on the 22nd to the 24th January 2010.
“It is a privilege to be able to hold a Convention of this stature in Australia in particular for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community” says Executive Officer for United L Events, Julie Anderson. “The L Word’s large and loyal fan base is passionate about the show and its characters, as evidenced by the expressed interest to attend and previous Conventions held abroad, they are excited about the prospect of attending this inaugural event.”
Anderson said “The L Word Down Under Convention will provide an opportunity for fans to get up close and personal with the actors from the show.” ” Fans will be able to ask the actors of The L Word a question about themselves or the show, be photographed with their favourite actor, have a chance to get their autograph as well as meet other attendees from across Australia and abroad.”
In six seasons, The L Word has generated a devoted audience as well as critical praise for its provocative, sexy storylines, and the outstanding performances of the principal cast. The groundbreaking series follows a group of Los Angeles based friends as they navigate careers, families, friendships, inner struggles and romantic entanglements. Since its debut, the series has become part of a global popular culture, generating its own social networking site (Ourchart.com), dedicated fan web sites and blogs, together with L Word ancillary products.
Just in case you weren’t frustrated enough by The L Word’s final truncated season (only 8 episodes), with the cheap way creator Eileen Chaiken chose to create a “murder mystery” storyline running through the entire season (unbeknownst to the actresses themselves), and the ultimate question of “Who Killed Jenny Schecter?” remaining unanswered in the final moments….you have still another chance to want to throw shoes at your TV set (or, at least at your laptop or PC) by watching ShowTime’s post-mortem exclusively released on the ShowTime L Word website “Interrogation Tapes. “
We are enticed to watch for a new suspect every Monday. Woo-Hoo!
So far, these torturous clips (for those watching, not the characters being interrogated) have taken most of the characters to new lows.
There’s Shane the pyro, who apparently set fire to her own shop; Bette, who in one of the wussiest moments I’ve seen her in so far, proclaims her angst at Tina not asking if she (Bette) wouldn’t want to give birth to their second child, and Tina sharing how her sister used to have sex with her when they were children, thus relegating Bette to being her “second” as opposed to her “first” female lover- as she has maintained all along.
What’s really sad is that these “confessions” seem totally out of context and betray the actresses, not to mention what they have established with their characters over the prior 5 seasons.
On the other hand, Sgt. Duffy making a pass at Helena was playful, and …oops, too bad the male cop had to come back into the room to interrupt what might have been the Sarge putting a move on her suspect! 😉
Now that “The Farm” is not going to be picked up by ShowTime, the whole reason for Alice being the prime suspect is really, well…suspect.
Too much cheap commercialism has clouded what could have been a strong finish for this milestone television show. Kudos to all the actresses who carried on their roles with grace and, well, of course…drop dead sex appeal.
Here it is “hot off the press” from the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force right into my email box 43 minutes ago! Freedom To Marry is Affirmed in IOWA!!!
All the opinions expressed in any articles, blog posts and Internet content written by me are my own and do not reflect the opinions or beliefs of any individuals or organizations with whom I associate.
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