I got caught up in the moment. Guilty as charged. Yesterday, someone posted a link to the facebook blog page that caused a whole lot of controversy. It was titled Top Ten Reasons Why Gay Marriage is Wrong. Ok, I took the bait. I read a little of it and became irate at what I was reading. But, I shied away from writing about it because it didn't pertain to either teen suicide or bullying. Then, I read the line that broke to camel's back. THEN, I wrote about it. And, then I found out that the whole thing was a satire. A spoof. And, upon closer examination, and with a much calmer mind, I was able to see the satirical angle to it. (I'm just happy that only 10 people read the blog post before I pulled it down!!)
The question that begs to be answered, though, is what exactly was it about that piece of satire that triggered such ire and from so many people, including myself? Well, the answer is easy. The piece echoed the diabolical diatribe that we've been hearing for far too long from the very people the satire was directed against: the "fundamentalist Christians". And, it goes deeper than that. It showed just how fed up we are, as a collective whole, of hearing their unbridled ignorance. For me, personally, when I read the line "A normal child should be harassing and teasing gay kids and calling them "faggots", not trying to be friends with them or enable their lifestyle", my anger shifted into overdrive. And, for good reason. That mentality really IS pervasive amongst those who give true believers of God a bad name.
We must not lose sight of the fact that there really ARE so-called Christians who really do espouse that very same mentality. There are politicians trying to pass laws that would sanction the bullying of LGBT teens. And, as we saw in Anoka-Hennepin, the combination of religious and political "leaders" who share the same narrow-minded, hate-filled intolerance towards the LGBT community has a devastating effect on LGBT teens.
In hindsight, that piece of satire was actually brilliantly done. It was almost TOO well done, actually. Obviously, it struck a nerve. It mirrored the reality that we face today in a society that still, in 2012, has people filled with hatred and intolerance. Not only are they filled with hatred and intolerance, they are more than willing to spread their ignorance as "truth" in accordance to God. When satire mirrors reality that closely, sparks fly.
Friday, March 23, 2012
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Ignoring It Doesn't Make it Go Away
I read story after story, comment after comment about how some teen was bullied, they report the incident to the proper authorities, only to have it treated as it's a non-issue. Too many suicides have resulted from this.
In one high-profile case recently, a spokesman from the local Sheriff's department went on record as saying that despite media and online reports of the teen's suicide being a result of bullying, their "investigation" concluded that "that was not the case". Yet, my own personal contact with someone very close to the family and the situation told me exactly the opposite. And, of course, it was later made know that bullying was, indeed, at the root of the suicide. This wasn't the first instance. In the trailer for the controversial, and very necessary, movie, "Bully", a teacher foolishly goes on camera to say that she'd "ridden on that bus" where a young boy was allegedly bullied and the kids "...were as good as gold". Ultimately, this boy committed suicide because of the bullying.
Sometimes, in some cases of bullying against LGBT teens, the victim is blamed for the bullying!! In the case of one high-profile LGBT teen suicide from a couple years ago, the parents were told that if their son didn't act [gay], he wouldn't get bullied. How is THAT acceptable? That's not "not taking bullying seriously", that's turning a blind eye to what's going on. Worse, that's essentially sanctioning the violence because this boy was simple being himself. The sad end result was him taking matters into his own hands and ending his life.
On my facebook blog page, read comment after comment from real-life people who were bullied, went to the authorities, and nothing was done about it.
In one high-profile case recently, a spokesman from the local Sheriff's department went on record as saying that despite media and online reports of the teen's suicide being a result of bullying, their "investigation" concluded that "that was not the case". Yet, my own personal contact with someone very close to the family and the situation told me exactly the opposite. And, of course, it was later made know that bullying was, indeed, at the root of the suicide. This wasn't the first instance. In the trailer for the controversial, and very necessary, movie, "Bully", a teacher foolishly goes on camera to say that she'd "ridden on that bus" where a young boy was allegedly bullied and the kids "...were as good as gold". Ultimately, this boy committed suicide because of the bullying.
Sometimes, in some cases of bullying against LGBT teens, the victim is blamed for the bullying!! In the case of one high-profile LGBT teen suicide from a couple years ago, the parents were told that if their son didn't act [gay], he wouldn't get bullied. How is THAT acceptable? That's not "not taking bullying seriously", that's turning a blind eye to what's going on. Worse, that's essentially sanctioning the violence because this boy was simple being himself. The sad end result was him taking matters into his own hands and ending his life.
On my facebook blog page, read comment after comment from real-life people who were bullied, went to the authorities, and nothing was done about it.
That's one of the comments left recently on my facebook blog page. This is but one example. Unfortunately, there are more.
Problem with schools, I'm a senior in high school, and in all my years in middle school (6-8) I was bullied and fighting back each year leading me to get kicked off to a new school each year....kinda sucks how "they who purposely care" really don't.....well until until you're pushed too far."Until you're pushed too far" is 10 steps too late. Bullying needs to be taken seriously, on all levels: not only against LGBT teens, but against anyone who's perceived different, anyone who doesn't "fit in". School officials, elected officials, adults in general!, all need to be re-educated. And, part of that re-education process needs to be making them acutely aware that ignoring the bullying issue doesn't make it away.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Passing The Torch
In any war, the battle is essentially being fought for the generations to follow: for our children. And, their children. Warriors lay their lives on the line so that their kids, their kids kids, can have a better, safer, happier life. The "warriors" of Stonewall fought for their "kids", the generation of young LGBT kids coming behind them. And, behind them. I'm so glad they did. See, I'm part of the generation they were fighting for.
I remember Stonewall being in the news. I was 12. I knew, instinctively, that what was going on in the newspaper (life before the Internet was vastly different!) was good. By that time in my life, I was fully aware that I was a gay teen and had already had my first boyfriend. Seeing them lay their lives on the line against an establishment that hated them touched me in an indescribable place. I knew.
The war we're fighting today is for the liberty, justice, and equality for our LGBT youth of today. We're fighting for their freedom to live happily without a government or religious body that sanctions their being attacked, both emotionally and physically. We're fighting for their freedom to marry the one they love, just as their straight counterparts will do. We're fighting for equality, for ourselves as well as for them.
And, we're passing the torch.
Because of the Internet, there's a "right-now-ness" that we didn't have in generations gone by. We can, and do, connect with people all around this massive globe at the click of the "send" button. And, as a result, there's a movement going on right now that is going to change the world as we know it. A paradigm shift. Yes, we the children of Stonewall are paving the way. However, the torch is also being passed to some very strong, very dedicated young leaders. And, they need to be recognized for the work they're doing:
The world truly is changing, right before our eyes. And, it's changing for the better. Most importantly, the youth-led movement is really getting traction and making a difference. It makes us older warriors feel good to know that the torch is being passed to such capable hands.
I remember Stonewall being in the news. I was 12. I knew, instinctively, that what was going on in the newspaper (life before the Internet was vastly different!) was good. By that time in my life, I was fully aware that I was a gay teen and had already had my first boyfriend. Seeing them lay their lives on the line against an establishment that hated them touched me in an indescribable place. I knew.
The war we're fighting today is for the liberty, justice, and equality for our LGBT youth of today. We're fighting for their freedom to live happily without a government or religious body that sanctions their being attacked, both emotionally and physically. We're fighting for their freedom to marry the one they love, just as their straight counterparts will do. We're fighting for equality, for ourselves as well as for them.
And, we're passing the torch.
Because of the Internet, there's a "right-now-ness" that we didn't have in generations gone by. We can, and do, connect with people all around this massive globe at the click of the "send" button. And, as a result, there's a movement going on right now that is going to change the world as we know it. A paradigm shift. Yes, we the children of Stonewall are paving the way. However, the torch is also being passed to some very strong, very dedicated young leaders. And, they need to be recognized for the work they're doing:
- Christi O'Connor contacted me about a month ago about the Monster March Against Bullying. The goal is for at least 10,000 LGBT teens to march to the step of San Francisco's City Hall in an effort to compel their leaders that "It HAS TO Get Better". The Rodemeyers will be there. Jonah Mowry and his family will be there. That's powerful stuff. And, all of this was organized by TEENS!! On her wall, Christi posted this:
"Hi Everyone."
The official website goes up on Monday. Looking forward to checking that out. Looking forward even more to October and their Monster March!!
- While not at teen, at 23, Mark Blane is still young enough to be considered part of the youth movement. This very talented director/playwright/activist is putting his best effort into making a difference. On June 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, the play, which Mark wrote and directed, "The Rock and The Ripe" will go into production in Chicago. The play is about "the bullied and bruised Gay Youth of America". There's also a book by the same title. But, most importantly, Mark has a fundraiser page in place in an attempt to take this provocative and important play national. This very compelling video makes you understand what's at stake.
And, then there's 18-year-old Brett Simpson. I had seen this video response floating around for a while but, quite frankly, didn't watch it because I'd grown weary of the "flash-card messages". Eventually, of course, I gave in and watched it. (it kept popping up here and there, so I figured there had to be something to it. I was right.) Watching that video changed my life. Here was this handsome 18-year-old who, himself, had been badly bullied!, reaching out to other teens who were in crisis! He opened his life to the world of LGBT teens, giving almost all of his personal information, and told them "I'm always here for you". That, alone, made my eyes water. Refusing to be "the victim", Brett instead stood strong and reached out. And, the teens have been responding!!! As an example, this message was just posted to his wall: Zachary Smith: "Brett, this is amazing. I know you can do great things for the future of this country. It would be wonderful to meet you someday. Also, make sure you save this somewhere, because coming from someone who wrote something similar about a long battle with learning disabilities, personal written pieces such as this one are very appealing to higher learning institutions, if that's what you plan on doing in the future." He has quite a following in his facebook community, Click "Like" if You Support the LGBT Questioning Community. I've been so impressed with the work Brett's doing, I made him an administrator on my facebook blog page. And, he's done great there, as well.
- As a testimony to the impact Brett is having on the young, up-and-coming LGBT teens, this video was made by a 14-year-old LGBT youth named John. The video is stunning, to say the least. And, to think that a 14-year-old produced it just warms the heart. The message is clear and, coming from someone who is in the age group most affected by the bullying against LGBT teens in this country, and around the world!, it's extremely powerful. If the readers of this blog post click no other link herein, do check out this video.
The world truly is changing, right before our eyes. And, it's changing for the better. Most importantly, the youth-led movement is really getting traction and making a difference. It makes us older warriors feel good to know that the torch is being passed to such capable hands.
Friday, March 16, 2012
Dharun Ravi Convicted of Hate Crime in Tyler Clementi's Death
As 18-year-old first-year students at the prestigious Rutgers University, Ravi and Clementi ended up being roommates. Tyler had just come out to his family as being gay before he left for college. Once at school, and as Ravi's roommate, he met with a man with whom he'd apparently started becoming intimate with. Dharun Ravi decided it would be cool to secretly set up a webcam and broadcast Tyler and his partner during their intimacy on his Twitter account. As a result, Tyler Clementi committed suicide by jumping off the George Washington Bridge. The case made national, international!, headlines. It was also one of a flurry of LGBT teen suicides in September 2010 that included Seth Walsh and Asher Brown.
Dharun Ravi, incredibly, was offered a plea bargain December of last year that would've all but set him free. He would've received no jail time and would've been able to remain in this country. He declined. He wanted to argue his case. He lost. And, now, he's facing prison time as well as deportation.
In my own opinion, the question that isn't being explored is why was he offered a plea deal in the first place? Why was the State of New Jersey willing to offer this man much lesser charges with no consequences when his actions led directly to the suicide death of Tyler Clementi? To me, that's almost as troublesome as Ravi's actions. Luckily, he had the misguided notion that he could win if only he was able to have his day in court to present "his side" of the story.
"His side" of the story is irrelevant. A jury told him that today. Tyler Clementi is gone forever because of Dharun's actions. Let's hope that this very high-profile case of homophobic bullying, it's tragic results, and now the consequences for the perpetrator sends a message to those who think that bullying is cool or acceptable: there will be consequences for your actions.
The Clementis suffer the consequences of your actions every single day of their lives, Mr. Ravi. Now, so will you.
The Rock & The Ripe
I just spent a couple hours going over this project. Going over this project, familiarizing myself with it, caused me to go back and review some of the videos and stories about people like Phillip Parker, Jamey Rodemeyer, Ashlynn Conner, Seth Walsh, Jamie Hubley. The list is sickeningly long. Then, I cried. With every different face I saw, I cried. Then, I got mad.
I watched videos that reminded me just how important this all is because there are actually people, and I mean high-profile people, working just as hard to minimize or even eradicate everything we're doing. To them, bullying isn't a problem; LGBT teens shouldn't have "special protection"; LGBT teens bring their problems on themselves by being out. Thank the God of your understanding that we outnumber them.
I named this blog Enough is Enough for a very specific and obvious reason. Our society has been plagued long enough by narrow-mindedness, ruled too long by a "moral majority" (which , by the way, they're neither) who feel that everyone should live by THEIR standards or be damned. And, in the cross hairs are struggling, emotionally fragile LGBT teens. And, the result is far too often...suicide. Enough TRULY is enough.
In watching the video promoting The Rock & The Ripe, one segment stopped me in my tracks. I watched it repeatedly.
Watching those videos got me angry.
Mark Blane is 23-year-old gay man who was bullied unmerciful as a teen. He is also a very talented director and playwright. He is inspired and inspiring. He's assembled, in his words, "...an incredible network of artists, actors, and activists..." in his effort to "...expose the secrets and real issues behind gay [teen] bullying in America."
"The Rock & The Ripe" the play, is set for production in Chicago June 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. Mark's ambition is to get the funding to take it nationwide. He's going to need massive help in doing so.
"The Rock & The Ripe", the book, goes into deeper detail.
He's created a Kickstarter page for people to contribute as little as $5 towards getting his story out. If you're unfamiliar with how Kickstarter works, it's an all-or-nothing proposition. Anyone can contribute. There's a set target amount. Anything at or above that amount, Mark gets for his project. However, if that number isn't met, he - and, the project - gets nothing.
It's a story that must get out!!!
I watched videos that reminded me just how important this all is because there are actually people, and I mean high-profile people, working just as hard to minimize or even eradicate everything we're doing. To them, bullying isn't a problem; LGBT teens shouldn't have "special protection"; LGBT teens bring their problems on themselves by being out. Thank the God of your understanding that we outnumber them.
I named this blog Enough is Enough for a very specific and obvious reason. Our society has been plagued long enough by narrow-mindedness, ruled too long by a "moral majority" (which , by the way, they're neither) who feel that everyone should live by THEIR standards or be damned. And, in the cross hairs are struggling, emotionally fragile LGBT teens. And, the result is far too often...suicide. Enough TRULY is enough.
In watching the video promoting The Rock & The Ripe, one segment stopped me in my tracks. I watched it repeatedly.
So, don't be f*cking shocked and wonder where all these bullies are coming from that are torturing young kids and are driving them to kill themselves because they're different. They learned it from watching you.That's directed at every politician who continues to attempt to pass legislation that minimizes LGBT teens; that's directed at every teacher who turns a blind eye at the bullying of an LGBT teen; that's directed at every parent who speaks hatred and intolerance around their own children, ESPECIALLY if they have LGBT kids.
Watching those videos got me angry.
Mark Blane is 23-year-old gay man who was bullied unmerciful as a teen. He is also a very talented director and playwright. He is inspired and inspiring. He's assembled, in his words, "...an incredible network of artists, actors, and activists..." in his effort to "...expose the secrets and real issues behind gay [teen] bullying in America."
"The Rock & The Ripe" the play, is set for production in Chicago June 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. Mark's ambition is to get the funding to take it nationwide. He's going to need massive help in doing so.
"The Rock & The Ripe", the book, goes into deeper detail.
The book will be a dissection of how this process and project came to be, the atrocious facts and stories of anti-gay bullying from across the country, information commemorating the lives of 14-year-old Phillip Parker, 14-year-old Rafael Morelos, and many others. Direct quotes from phone-calls, in-person interviews in communities across the country that are affected by homophobia, ignorance, careless town officials, and unsympathetic and uneducated (ironically) school administrations. This book will be PACKED with photography, research, plus insight into the the minds of the actors/activists.Enough really is enough. Our numbers are growing around the world, and our voices are being heard. People young and old, black and white, gay and straight, and everywhere in between, are standing up and saying enough is enough!!! And, we are making a difference. The reality of it is we're going to have to create the change we're seeking. The politicians won't do it. The educators won't do it. And, too many parents won't do it. WE are the ones who will make the difference at the end of the day. Mark is doing his part at trying to make a differnce. He needs help getting his project up and running.
He's created a Kickstarter page for people to contribute as little as $5 towards getting his story out. If you're unfamiliar with how Kickstarter works, it's an all-or-nothing proposition. Anyone can contribute. There's a set target amount. Anything at or above that amount, Mark gets for his project. However, if that number isn't met, he - and, the project - gets nothing.
It's a story that must get out!!!
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Supporting Diversity Role Models
This is getting good. Lately, there's been more "good news" stories to write about than the heavy alternate. I like that.
In the U.K., there's an organization called Diversity Role Models. Their mission is to do just that: provide role models for LGBT teens in an effort to help combat bullying and avoid attempted suicides.
The movement is growing worldwide!! I wrote earlier about the Monster March Against Bullying that's set to occur here in the U.S. in October. And, there's more coming all the time. Power in numbers. Our numbers are growing worldwide, and this is a prime example.
From June 29th through July 20th, Andrew Makin will bike through England, Wales, and Scotland - over 700 miles!! - to raise money for Diversity Role Models. It's a cause everyone can get behind.
Says Diversity Role Models:
Andrew Makin is doing his fair share in June. We can all be a part of it, though, from wherever we are in the world. We can learn more about Diversity Role Models on their webpage; and, we can donate to his fundraiser page for this summer's bike ride across the U.K.
There are a lot of great causes out there today; however, being involved in turning the tide on homophobic bullying of LGBT teens, and homophobia in general!, and attacking the LGBT teen suicide rate ranks right at the top of the list for me.
In the U.K., there's an organization called Diversity Role Models. Their mission is to do just that: provide role models for LGBT teens in an effort to help combat bullying and avoid attempted suicides.
The movement is growing worldwide!! I wrote earlier about the Monster March Against Bullying that's set to occur here in the U.S. in October. And, there's more coming all the time. Power in numbers. Our numbers are growing worldwide, and this is a prime example.
From June 29th through July 20th, Andrew Makin will bike through England, Wales, and Scotland - over 700 miles!! - to raise money for Diversity Role Models. It's a cause everyone can get behind.
"Why Does It Matter?":
Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) young people are three times more likely to attempt suicide. Two thirds of them suffer bullying at school. They often don't have an adult to talk to at home or at school. We all know bullied students can't focus on learning and achievement.
But it's not just LGB and T young people. Straight students are terrified of being called 'gay'. Girls drop out of sport and boys hide artistic talent to conform to gender roles and avoid being labelled gay or lesbian.
And what about the young people who have LGB or T family members? Do they feel safe talking about their loved ones openly?
This issue affects ALL young people. Someone needs to talk to them about diversity; it's a difficult topic. We accept this challenge.
Says Diversity Role Models:
Not only does Diversity Role Models help the young, it is changing the standing of all LGBT people for the better. By educating schoolchildren, and challenging the remnants of homophobia in popular culture, it breaks down barriers by showing LGBT individuals as real people.We are all too familiar with the effects of homophobic bullying as it pertains to LGBT teens. We are, sadly, also too familiar with the reality that "the other side" still doesn't get it and is more than willing to turn a blind eye or sweep it under the carpet. Therefore, it is completely up to us, the LGBT community - both young and old - to take matter into our own hands and protect, and nurture, our LGBT teens.
Andrew Makin is doing his fair share in June. We can all be a part of it, though, from wherever we are in the world. We can learn more about Diversity Role Models on their webpage; and, we can donate to his fundraiser page for this summer's bike ride across the U.K.
There are a lot of great causes out there today; however, being involved in turning the tide on homophobic bullying of LGBT teens, and homophobia in general!, and attacking the LGBT teen suicide rate ranks right at the top of the list for me.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
100 Homophobes Tweet They'd KILL Their Gay Child!!!
Everytime it seems we're turning a corner on some of the madness we face, something comes along to remind us that there's still plenty of work that needs to be done. And, this one ranks right near the top of the list of the worst things I've ever seen.
On Monday, March 12th, trending on storify was tweets to people's unborn children. Tweets that vowed to KILL their unborn child if he or she turned out to be LGBT. I don't think it gets any worse than that. Luckily, these tweets were picked up on by someone, and these people are being put in the spotlight.
Codie Sowders wrote:
My first thought was "I sure hope they don't have any other children!" Any person who can even formulate such a thought about any human being at all, let alone their very own unborn child should, at the very least, be mandated to have every snip and tie done as to assure that they can never, ever reproduce. This level of homophobia is reprehensible.
Here's the danger: this level of hatred, intolerance, and violence is precisely the accelerant that fuels the violence against the LGBT teens we're seeing today. And, as we're being shown more and more every single day, the violence against LGBT teens, the bullying, is a learned behavior taught to them, in many if not most cases, by adults. Directly or indirectly. Imagine: Codie Sowders has another child, or children!. Wonderful parent in all aspects; however, the child or children knows Codie's intolerant feeling towards gays. And, that level of hatred would be impossible to mask despite the best efforts. Well, what do you think the odds would be of that child, or those children, growing up to become homophobes themselves? And, thus, the vicious cycle continues. The bullying continues. The LGBT teen suicide rate remains the same. And, frightfully, if an LGBT child is born to any one of these people, the murder rate will go up as well. By their own admission.
I've got a real problem with this one. Hopefully, a lot of people have a real problem with it. Just reading these real tweets from real "people" should be enough to get your blood up to 210 degrees. For that other 2 degrees needed to reach boiling point, realize that there are teachers, judges, police officers, definitely politicians. priests and preachers...people from every walk of life with this level of homophobia.
It's getting better, yes. We still have lots of work to do.
On Monday, March 12th, trending on storify was tweets to people's unborn children. Tweets that vowed to KILL their unborn child if he or she turned out to be LGBT. I don't think it gets any worse than that. Luckily, these tweets were picked up on by someone, and these people are being put in the spotlight.
Codie Sowders wrote:
From Daborey Burrell comes this:#ToMyUnbornChild if you so much as think about being a homosexual I'll put a bullet in your damn skull
#ToMyUnbornChild if you turn out gay, I will burn you alive.Rob Grant wrote:
#ToMyUnbornChild if your gay or retarded I will kill you.And, this tweet from Chris Woodie:
#ToMyUnbornChild If you think gay is an option,let me know because we'll abort youExtremely graphic, I know. However, I think it's urgent that we know, and fully realize that there truly ARE people out there who, by their own admission!, would kill their own child if he or she were gay. Worse, they said it unabashedly, as if the murdering of unwanted LGBT children was just the norm.
My first thought was "I sure hope they don't have any other children!" Any person who can even formulate such a thought about any human being at all, let alone their very own unborn child should, at the very least, be mandated to have every snip and tie done as to assure that they can never, ever reproduce. This level of homophobia is reprehensible.
Here's the danger: this level of hatred, intolerance, and violence is precisely the accelerant that fuels the violence against the LGBT teens we're seeing today. And, as we're being shown more and more every single day, the violence against LGBT teens, the bullying, is a learned behavior taught to them, in many if not most cases, by adults. Directly or indirectly. Imagine: Codie Sowders has another child, or children!. Wonderful parent in all aspects; however, the child or children knows Codie's intolerant feeling towards gays. And, that level of hatred would be impossible to mask despite the best efforts. Well, what do you think the odds would be of that child, or those children, growing up to become homophobes themselves? And, thus, the vicious cycle continues. The bullying continues. The LGBT teen suicide rate remains the same. And, frightfully, if an LGBT child is born to any one of these people, the murder rate will go up as well. By their own admission.
I've got a real problem with this one. Hopefully, a lot of people have a real problem with it. Just reading these real tweets from real "people" should be enough to get your blood up to 210 degrees. For that other 2 degrees needed to reach boiling point, realize that there are teachers, judges, police officers, definitely politicians. priests and preachers...people from every walk of life with this level of homophobia.
It's getting better, yes. We still have lots of work to do.
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