LGBT Affairs & Archive

Acceptable Violence

acceptable violence As a child, it was important that you understood these two realities: 1) kids can be cruel and 2) the playground is host to some of life’s harshest lessons. But it seems that throughout the generations, kids have gone from cruel yet puckish to viciousness without boundaries. The childhood recess ritual has transformed into almost 24/7 harassment.

Bullying is a topic that has gotten a lot of attention lately with some state legislatures having passed or considering laws regarding school bullying as well as cyberbullying. However, bullying has recently grabbed national headlines for more macabre reasons – the deaths of Jaheem Herrera (11 year-old from Georgia), Carl Walker-Hoover (11 year-old from Massachusetts) and Maria Herrera (12 year-old from New York). Each child endured incessant taunting and teasing, even after parents alerted the schools numerous times of the situations. And each child chose to end his or her own life. What drives a sixth grader to think, “I could live to see old age, but life will never get better so puberty will have to do”? They should be thinking about riding bikes, caffeine, sugar and the next cool shows on Nickelodeon and Disney.

These kids weren’t alone in their suffering. Bullying is considered the most common form of violence. According to the National Association of School Psychologists, each day 160,000 students skip school for fear of being bullied. In 2005, the U.S. Department of Justice reported that 77 percent of students are bullied emotionally, verbally or physically. Specifically speaking to LGBTQ youth, 33 percent of men and 34 percent of women experience some kind of violence at home AND school. They’re also four times more likely to attempt suicide than heterosexual students.

The abuse that happens in schools leaves emotional and, at times, physical, scars. Psychologists believe victims of traumatic bullying cases can exhibit signs of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, even later in life. PostSecret, the website where people can anonymously bear their souls, recently displayed a card that said “The girl who bullied me throughout elementary school has cancer. I’m not sure if I should pray for her or thank God for punishing her.” Clearly, many adults carry memories from their younger days of someone considered bigger, stronger, cooler or more popular picking on them for being too feminine or masculine, too fat or thin, too short or tall, too smart or dumb. How about you? Do you still carry a grudge?

With the understanding that bullying greatly affects many within the LGBTQ community, Lexington Fairness has partnered with the Family Counseling Service to develop PROJECT SPEAK OUT. We are collecting anonymous stories from local middle and high schools and from college students about their experiences with bullying in the school systems. Some of these accounts will be used to create a reader’s theater-style performance piece to be presented to students, parents, educators, administrators, and the greater Central Kentucky community. The goal is to create an emotionally poignant performance that demonstrates the seriousness of school bullying. With permission, all of the original stories will be posted online. Society has always chalked up kids teasing one another as just kids being kids. It was a way to make you tougher, stronger, wiser. Nowadays at work, we take light jabs at coworkers as a way to relieve the stress. Kids, likewise, need a release. But bullying has become more that just playful joking. It has become a form of acceptable violence. As a human race, we must establish boundaries and draw a line in the sandbox, so to speak. Please join Lexington Fairness in participating in PROJECT SPEAK OUT and in helping educate the public on the severe nature of bullying.

Revitalized Activism

Monday, 12 January 2009 22:04

The passage of Proposition 8 in California, along with other anti-gay ballot initiatives, soured an otherwise joyous Election Day. But maybe the vote was a blessing in disguise. This defeat for the community reignited a fire that had become nothing more than flicker. LGBTQ and allies flooded streets in cities across the country in protest. The media couldn’t get enough. They debated and showed footage and images. The gay rights movement had reemerged with a vengeance in just a few hours. The next move was to remind our fellow Americans that LGBTQ played crucial roles in our country’s daily life. So, as a protest mechanism, “A Day Without A Gay” was launched. LGBTQ were encouraged to call in gay to work, halt all spending, and use the day to volunteer instead. The sentiment is easy to understand – prove the power of the community by showing that we are everywhere and are essential to a strong economy. But due to a number of factors, the day seemed to make a minimal impact. The one thing it did was assure the public that the gay rights movement was still in full swing. Then, there was MILK – the emotional, empowering film about Harvey Milk, the first openly-gay elected official in the United States. The film gave the audience a glimpse into the gay rights movement in the 1970s. After watching it, you may have resisted an urge to take to the streets. You may have risen to your feet with a sudden surge of pride and self-respect. You may have left more determined than ever to fight for what you believe in. At the very least, you left the theater wondering about the movement and the level of sacrifice involved in achieving equality. The election of President-elect Barack Obama was inspiring. Our nation elected a man whose faith is rooted in hope. And, for now, we believe this is the best chance for change. A strong push for equal rights. The repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” A federal fairness law. Liberal judges on the bench. Respect. The gay rights movement did not begin with Harvey Milk nor did it die with him. Changing a culture takes time. Social movements take patience. Reverting to complacency dishonors the memory of every person who suffered, bled or died to advance our cause. It is detrimental to our recent momentum. Above all, knowing how far we have left to go, it is irresponsible to future generations.

Yes, the work is exhausting. Yes, it will try your soul. But if there ever was a time to be confident, to state our case, to take the fight to the seats of power, it is now. Make it your New Year’s resolution to become an activist in our revitalized movement. Lexington Fairness encourages you to gather your friends and family and get involved. Join one of our subcommittees (Education and Outreach/Advocacy or Fundraising). Make phone calls or write letters to legislators. Lobby local officials and businesses. Whatever you do – Do it loud! Do it proud! Do it now!