Tomorrow, October 20, is Spirit Day and NCLR is joining the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) and millions of others around the country in going purple to show our support for LGBT people and against anti-bullying of LGBT Youth.
NCLR stands with those advocates committed to ending bullying. As a member of the National Safe Schools Partnership, we have joined the chorus of voices that are demanding that America’s schools are safe for all children. LGBT youth of color are particularly vulnerable to bullying. Consider the following statistics, taken from the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network’s report “Shared Differences”:
- Biased Language: Across groups, more than 80% of LGBT students of color reported in 2006-07 hearing the word “gay” used in a negative way, i.e. “that’s so gay” or “you’re so gay.”
- Safety: In that same year, more than 60% of students of color had been verbally harassed because of how they expressed their gender
- Latinos: More than half of the LGBT Latino/a students surveyed reported being harassed in school because of their race or ethnicity.
- Academic Performance: 30% of LGBT Latino/a students reported that they had missed one day or more of school because they felt unsafe or uncomfortable going.
- School Resources and Supports: Only 18% of those LGBT students of color surveyed reported that their school had a policy to address in-school harassment and assault.
These troubling numbers reveal a situation that deserves national attention and NCLR is proud to stand with the LGBT community in demanding a response to anti-bullying efforts. GLAAD also wants to hear from LGBT Latinos. Tell them your story of being a LGBT Latino or ally.
Want to join Spirit Day? Click here to find out how.