The topic of anti-gay bullying has come up frequently on this blog as we time and time again have witnessed gay teens and those perceived by their tormentors as gay literally driven to suicide. It is a crime that far too many of our schools repeatedly turn a blind eye to the mistreatment of students because of the real or perceived sexual orientation. It is equally a crime that many states - Virginia being one of them - have such watered down laws that those who bully students to death and school administrators who stand by and do nothing face little consequence for their conduct. Adding to the foul mix are the "godly Christians" who want the right to make the lives of LGBT students a living Hell and claim that restrictions on bullying threaten their religious freedom. Ans a result, families continue to mourn for their sons, daughters, nieces,and nephews or grand children who were driven to a needless death. In what one can only hope is a move to cease this sicken state of affairs, the U. S. Commission on Civil Rights intends to hold hearings on anti-gay bullying. The Lesbian & Gay Community Center of New Orleans is working to spread the word on the hearings and encouraging victims of anti-gay bullying (I was called a faggot, pansy and other derogatory things in school). Please send in letters!! Here are highlights from information on the organization's Facebook page:*
[T]he U.S. Commission on Civil Rights will be holding a hearing on May 13 addressing inter-student violence targeted against LGBT youth. According to Commissioner Roberta Achtenberg, the event is historic as it will be the first time the Civil Rights Commission will host a hearing on an LGBT-related issue. Those who are scheduled to testify include Tammy Aaberg, who lost her son to suicide last July, and Russlynn Ali, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Education.
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We’ve received a specific request from Alec Deull, special assistant to Commissioner Achtenberg, to encourage our members touched by inter-student violence targeted against LGBT youth (and those perceived to be so) to share their stories in writing with the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights for inclusion in the public record of the Commission’s current efforts to address the issue. The Commission defines “inter-student violence,” as any verbal and physical assaults, teasing, bullying and any other form of harassment. These letters will be an invaluable means for helping the Commission understand the nature, pervasiveness, geographic spread, and negative outcomes of such violence.
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The letters need not be formal or in any particular format. Each author is encouraged to write in their own voice and to tell their story in the terms in which it was experienced. The Commission should learn of the personalities of the kids and families involved, the way things happened (or are still happening), what types of people were involved (other students, school staff, and/or others), and what outcomes are being experienced for the student and for the rest of the family. Thoughts about what types of intervention might be helpful to address the causes could be important as well.
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For your letter to be introduced into the Commission's record in advance of the May 13 hearing in D.C. it should should be addressed to:
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Kim Tolhurst, Esq., Acting General Counsel
U.S. Commission on Civil Rights
624 Ninth St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20001
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Please note that the envelope should be addressed and mailed to Commissioner Achtenberg’s special assistant, Alec Duell at :
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c/o Alec Deull
3102 Krueger Road
North Tonawanda, NY 14120
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If you would like more background about the hearing, or if you have any questions regarding the story solicitation request, please contact Alec Deull at duellusccr@gmail.com or 716-694-1114, cell 202-607-6900.
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