Today is the Day of Silence, although my lips will not be speaking out today my silence will be heard (read).
Teenagers have fought with LGBT bulling for a very long time by remaining silent and hiding who they are. It doesn't matter if they are or are not gay they can still be bullied for LGBT reasons. Many kids are called horrible names because they have the stereotype look of what a bully thinks gay people look like or act like. They can be bullied for being friends with or for defending a LGBT student. They can be bullied for having family that is gay. I believe it is more difficult in rural areas because of the lack of support and stereotype country style.
So when I don't speak today it's not just for those that are LGBT, but for those being bullied because of stereotyping and lack of support. I also don't speak today for the kids that remain silent daily for fear of being punished by our schools for standing up for themselves and others.
The schools policy of "Zero Tolerance" has caused more silence for the bullied and more bulling. It use to be that if you don't start the fight you didn't get into trouble, but today if you defend yourself or others you also get punished. For all the kids remaining silent I am SILENT today only for you. God loves you and believe me when I say school doesn't last forever it does get better.
Teenagers have fought with LGBT bulling for a very long time by remaining silent and hiding who they are. It doesn't matter if they are or are not gay they can still be bullied for LGBT reasons. Many kids are called horrible names because they have the stereotype look of what a bully thinks gay people look like or act like. They can be bullied for being friends with or for defending a LGBT student. They can be bullied for having family that is gay. I believe it is more difficult in rural areas because of the lack of support and stereotype country style.
So when I don't speak today it's not just for those that are LGBT, but for those being bullied because of stereotyping and lack of support. I also don't speak today for the kids that remain silent daily for fear of being punished by our schools for standing up for themselves and others.
The schools policy of "Zero Tolerance" has caused more silence for the bullied and more bulling. It use to be that if you don't start the fight you didn't get into trouble, but today if you defend yourself or others you also get punished. For all the kids remaining silent I am SILENT today only for you. God loves you and believe me when I say school doesn't last forever it does get better.