Teen Suicide & Bullying are Epidemic in America.
LGBTQ Teens are Four Times More Likely to
Attempt Suicide than their Heterosexual Peers.
LGBTQ Teens are Four Times More Likely to
Attempt Suicide than their Heterosexual Peers.
Day of Silence is coordinated nationally by the Gay, Lesbian
& Straight Education Network (GLSEN). This is a day in which
students from around the country take a vow of silence to bring
attention to homophobic, anti-lesbian, gay, bisexual & transgender
name-calling, bullying & harassment faced in schools by students,
teachers & other school staff. Over 500,000 students from nearly
6,500 junior high & high schools in all 50 states & Puerto Rico have
participated over the years....
According to statistics provided by GLSEN:
More than 85 percent of LGBT students have been verbally harassed
Nearly 20 percent of LGBT students were physically assaulted by their
peers @ school...
Almost 40 percent of LGBT students reported that faculty & staff
never intervene when homophobic language is used in their presence...
Nearly 30 percent of LGBT students reported missing at least one
entire school day because they felt unsafe For More Info: GLSEN
Hear Audio Interviews w/ LGBT Leaders OUTTAKE VOICES™
4 comments:
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.
Congresswoman Baldwin is co-chair of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus
Sadly, violence and discrimination against LGBT youth is all-too-common in American schools. 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. 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.
Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY) Introduced legislation highlighting the Day of Silence in 2002
GLSEN thanks Reps. Engel and Baldwin and the resolution’s 40 cosponsors for acknowledging and supporting the efforts of hundreds of thousands of students to make their schools safer by participating in the Day of Silence. These students are coming together to raise awareness about the pervasive problem of anti-LGBT bullying in schools. That so many young people care about making their schools safer makes us hopeful that we can work together to make our schools welcome environments for everyone.
Eliza Byard is GLSEN Executive Director
The National Day of Silence brings an important focus to the bullying and name-calling that many lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students have to endure while trying to attend school. All students, regardless of their sexual orientation and gender identity, should be able to receive an education in a safe and supportive environment. We applaud Congressman Engel and Congresswoman Baldwin as they stand with LGBT students by recognizing this important day in Congress.
Joe Solmonese is President of the Human Rights Campaign
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