Bully – Or LGBTQ Ally Waiting to Be Called?

By Ted Resnikoff

ACLU Promotes Student Led Gay-Straight Alliance The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) "Blog of Rights" has created a video explaining how students can start a Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) at school, "Start A GSA Today," to combat young people from being harassed because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Many lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students — and straight or gender-conforming students who are perceived as LGBT – are subjected to homophobic slurs or have to avoid transphobic bullying, making it hard to study, to make friends, to be happy, or even to feel safe. Research shows that this problem is widespread and that students at schools with GSAs experience less harassment and are more likely to feel safe. 5 Steps to a Healthier School Envirnoment The ACLU video guides you through five steps for starting a GSA, from explaining why you want a club to things to do when you start meeting. You will find additional resources for transforming bullies into allies on the ACLU website. Follow other ACLU initiatives here.
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