Research has shown that LGBT students who experience bullying and have an unsupportive school environment report a higher incidence of isolation, depression, suicide, school failure and failure to graduate from high school. And currently, there is no Michigan law that protects students from bullying or forces schools to have plans of action for combatting bullying.
But there's something being done in the state to make a powerful change.
Local activists are beginning a southeastern Michigan brand of the national organization, the Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network and are holding their first steering committee meeting from 7-8:30 p.m. Nov. 12 at Affirmations. The LGBT community center is located at 290 W. Nine Mile Road in Ferndale.
The newly-formed group is encouraging students, teachers, parents and allies to add their voices to the first discussion of the group, which aims to help stop bullying in Michigan schools. "Our initial goals will be to maintain a support network for area schools' Gay Straight Alliances and to make an impact on bullying in schools through GLSEN's "Training of Trainers" program," the group announced in an e-mail.
For more information, contact Jane Kelley at 248-203-0191 or e-mail her at [email protected].
To learn more about GLSEN, visit http://www.glsen.org.
