A fierce response to bullying.
If you want to learn more about the actual correlations between weight and health and the associated myths that lead to bullying like this, check out The Fat Nutritionist.
(h/t to Upworthy for the find)
See more posts like this on Tumblr
#inspiring #body love #bullying #Bullying Prevention Month
It started with the rainbow Oreo, but now they’ve taken off. America’s favorite cookie is doing a “Daily Twist”, some with serious messages.
October is Bullying Prevention Month. It’s also LGBT History Month. And of course, Ally Week is coming up.
What are you up to this October?
Check out the trailer for A Brave Heart! We can’t wait to watch!
A BRAVE HEART: The Lizzie Velasquez Story is a documentary following the inspiring journey of 26 year old, 58 pound Lizzie from cyber-bullying victim to anti-bullying activist.
Born with a rare syndrome that prevents her from gaining weight, Elizabeth “Lizzie” Velasquez was first bullied as a child in school for looking different and, later online, as a teenager when she discovered a YouTube video labeling her “The World’s Ugliest Woman.” The film chronicles unheard stories and details of Lizzie’s physical and emotional journey up to her multi-million viewed TEDx talk, and follows her pursuit from a motivational speaker to Capitol Hill as she lobbies for the first federal anti-bullying bill.
greatest audition ever.
Bullying is a real problem in our schools as this heart-breaking yet truly inspiring video reminds us.
The good news is, there is a solution: Ask Congress to support the Safe Schools Improvement Act.
Just a few minutes ago, the Office of Civil Rights at the Department of Education made a groundbreaking announcement – it intends to collect data in schools nationwide about anti-LGBT bullying as part of its Civil Rights Data Collection, an influential survey that is used to inform government action.
I’m proud to say that GLSEN’s longtime leadership in Washington urging the government to take action played an integral role in making this change happen. You won’t believe the interaction I witnessed firsthand that confirmed that in the most amazing way! But before I tell you that story, first back to what this change means.
This amazing development is something to celebrate and hopefully a trend of good news coming out of Washington in the coming days. Making civil rights data collection LGBT-inclusive is a critical step toward ensuring LGBT students’ civil rights. It also will further document the need for schools and policymakers to take action to ensure that LGBT students have equal access to a quality education.
But the backstory to this major advance is also incredibly exciting.
On May 22, I was at the White House for a Harvey Milk Day event, accompanying a delegation of GLSEN student leaders and staff. As we waited for the program to begin, a senior official from the Department of Education came running over to one of our students, Liam Arne.
“I need to shake your hand,” he said. “Because of you, the Secretary of Education is adding LGBT students to one of the most important Department of Education data collection instruments. You asked in that meeting, and afterward he told us to get it done!”
A few months earlier, we had taken Liam and three other GLSEN student leaders to meet Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. These amazing students wanted to stand up to make a change, and we gave them an opportunity to tell their stories directly to Secretary Duncan in support of action that would create immediate and lasting impact.
LGBT-inclusive data collection may seem like a wonky goal. But let me tell you, data drives decision-making, and what is measured is what is valued when it comes to government action. Liam, one of GLSEN’s amazing student leaders, secured a huge advance for LGBT youth nationwide.
That makes me #GLSENProud.
GLSEN’s student leadership development programs support students like Liam Arne in making an amazing difference. We need your help to keep driving progress! Please consider a donation to help us continue to support students like Liam bring hope for a better tomorrow for LGBT youth.
Dynasty Young, an openly gay student, was bullied and eventually expelled from school for defending himself. He sued and not only got the expulsion reversed, he received a $65K settlement!
As we continue our #GLSENPROUD celebration this Pride Month, today I want to tell you about GLSEN Student Ambassador Matt Shankles, a shining example of how students really can make a difference.
A native of Marion, Iowa, Matt faced his own set of challenges at school when he came out as LGBT. He experienced name-calling, bullying and harassment from his peers simply for being himself.
Matt chose to take action. He looked for ways to change his school climate. He began a Twitter campaign to tweet encouragement to students who had been bullied.
Matt also participated in GLSEN’s Safe Schools Advocacy Summit in Washington where he met with lawmakers to push for the Safe Schools Improvement Act (SSIA) and the Student Non-Discrimination Act (SNDA).
But Matt’s work didn’t stop there. He joined GLSEN’s Student Ambassadors team. He spoke on a cyberbullying panel hosted by Iowa’s Governor. He also went on to testify at a Senate committee hearing in Iowa chaired by Senator Tom Harkin to discuss the need for safer schools.
Just a couple of weeks ago, Senator Harkin introduced an education bill that included provisions from both SSIA and SNDA. We can’t help but believe this was partly made possible because of Matt.
We celebrate students like Matt and others who are working to make their own schools and communities better. These incredible young people continue to inspire and challenge GLSEN to work harder for a better tomorrow for every student in K-12 schools.
Are you proud of a student leader in your community? Tweet to us about it using #GLSENPROUD.
Lawmakers have officially reintroduced the Tyler Clementi Higher Education Anti-Harassment Act, a bill that would require universities to enact stronger policies against bullying and harassment.
Rep. Mark Pocan, who introduced the bill in the House, said: “This bill ensures no student has to suffer the humiliation of being harassed for who they are, or who they love.“ Right on.
9. Write your Senators and Representatives about the Safe Schools Improvement Act. SSIA, GLSEN’s signature legislation, would require all public K-12 schools to enact an anti-bullying policy that includes specific protections for bullying based on sexual orientation and gender identity, along with other categories like race and religion. SSIA currently has more cosponsors than ever before. Contact your local legislators asking them to support the bill so they know just how many people support safe schools.
8. Connect with a local GLSEN chapter to learn how you can support their work on the ground. GLSEN’s 38 local chapters carry out GLSEN’s mission with schools and communities across the United States. Contact the chapter closest to you and ask how you can help.
7. Donate to GLSEN. We rely on donations from compassionate adults who are committed to making schools safer for students everywhere. Even if you can’t participate in the Day of Silence, your donation will help us provide resources to students who can.
6. Change your profile picture on social media. Official Day of Silence graphics are available on our Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr, and at the Day of Silence website. Choose your favorite graphic and make it your profile picture or cover photo to show others you support the Day of Silence, even if you’re unable to participate yourself.
5. Take a Selfie for Silence. Print out a Selfies for Silence sign and fill in your reason for supporting LGBT youth and their allies on the Day of Silence. Snap a photo of yourself holding the sign and share it on Facebook and other social media. If you can, hang up the sign at work, school or anywhere else it might spark conversation about the Day of Silence.
4. Wear an official Day of Silence t-shirt. Whether or not you’re silent, wearing Day of Silence gear communicates to students and others that you’re committed to safe schools for all students. Buy an official GLSEN Day of Silence shirt in our online store, make your own Day of Silence shirt, or simply wear the official Day of Silence colors – black and red.
3. Donate an LGBT-themed book to a local library. Silencing occurs in school and local libraries when LGBT-related books are deliberately excluded from the shelves. Find a book that addresses LGBT issues in a way that’s suitable for elementary, middle school or high school readers (we have a few suggestions to get you started). Look for a copy at a used bookstore near you, or bear to part with your own beloved copy.
2. Vow to be silent on social media. If your workplace or other responsibilities don’t allow you to be silent for the day, post a status update Thursday night explaining that you will refrain from posting on social media all day to show your solidarity through “social silence.” It may not have the same effect as being silent for the day at school, but you’ll still be taking a vow of silence!
1. Share your story. If you participated in the Day of Silence, joined a Gay-Straight Alliance, or experienced bullying when you were in school, chances are LGBT youth could learn from your story. Write a blog post or editorial or record a short video about your experiences, then share it on social media or with a local newspaper or website. (You’re also welcome to send us your blog post for publication!) In addition, if you’re in contact with LGBT youth, invite them to have a conversation before or after the Day of Silence about what they’ve gone through and how it may relate to your own experiences.
There are plenty of ways to participate in the Day of Silence. What are you doing today?
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! Before we get on with the post, it’s important to note that these are two groups of diverse people who are very unique in many ways! However, in light of the month, (and mainly due to the fact that a lot of the resources available online are for both groups), here is a compilation of resources for Asian and Pacific Islander LGBTQ+ people! Other masterposts can be found here (and don’t hesitate to add anything if you have resources to contribute)!
GLSEN Pages:
Other organizations:
Historical information from the US National Park Service:
Some LGBTQ+ Asian/Pacific Islander Creators:
Other Helpful/Informational Links:
worriesconstantly
boykeats
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! Before we get on with the post, it’s important to note that these are two groups of diverse people who are very unique in many ways! However, in light of the month, (and mainly due to the fact that a lot of the resources available online are for both groups), here is a compilation of resources for Asian and Pacific Islander LGBTQ+ people! Other masterposts can be found here (and don’t hesitate to add anything if you have resources to contribute)!
GLSEN Pages:
Other organizations:
Historical information from the US National Park Service:
Some LGBTQ+ Asian/Pacific Islander Creators:
Other Helpful/Informational Links:
