GLSEN report on gay-bullying victim

The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) reports that an 11-Year-Old Massachusetts boy hung himself after enduring daily anti-gay bullying in school. Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover is at least the fourth suicide of a middle-school aged child linked to bullying this year.

Despite the fact that younger generations are more tolerant of their GLBT brothers and sisters, students still harrass and bully peers who do not fit within perceived gender or sexual norms. This happens regardless of whether someone is gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. Without support from school teachers and adminstration, students have few options in avoiding such harrassment. Two Memphis students were "outed"to parents and peers last year at Hollis F. Price High School when their names were posted as a couple on a list in the Principal's Office. Luckily, neither student experienced the same fate as Carl.

Let's do our part to ensure strong anti-bullying policies in Tennessee schools. Rep. Bill Dunn (R-Knoxville) and Senator Diane Black (R-Gallatin) are sponsoring bills (HB0451/SB0283) that require, rather than encourage, school districts to include certain criteria in policies prohibiting harassment, intimidation, or bullying. TEP SUPPORTS THIS LEGISLATION. The Senate has passed its version of the bill and the House is still considering their version. In memory of Carl, contact your House representative to let him or her know that you support this bill.

Outing story continues in Memphis

Many concerned citizens spoke against the actions of Daphne Beasley, the principal of Hollis F. Price Middle College High School, at last night's Memphis City School Board meeting last night.

See stories on Eyewitness News and WMC 5.

You can also read voluminous community reactions to the story here.

UPDATE:

The Memphis Daily News has a well-written account of the story in its Monday edition. They are one of the few media outlets to point out that Nicholas & Andrew were "unfairly singled out when they didn't take part in any inappropriate public displays of affection."

"Outings" story update

The Hollis F. Price Middle College High School "outings" led the 6 PM and 10 PM broadcasts on WMC Channel 5 last night. I really admire the courage of the young students who have stepped forward to challenge their Principal, high school, and the city school system.

Twenty years ago, when I was in a student at White Station High School (a Memphis City School), I had the luxury of coming out at my own pace. The Principal at Hollis Price violated the privacy of these young men and created a hostile atmosphere in which they were verbally harrassed by teachers and students. I cannot imagine what they have experienced.

In February, I was horrified to hear about the Oxnard, California middle school student who was shot and killed by a fellow student because of his sexual orientation. Could something like this happen in Memphis? I hope and pray that the brave efforts of the students at Hollis Price will lead to policies that will prevent harrassment and violence toward GLBT students in the classroom.