Victims of bullying have somewhere to turn for support

Victims of bullying have somewhere to turn for support

A disturbing number of re- ports are appearing of young people who were gay or taunted for being perceived as gay killing themselves, including the well-publicized suicide of a Rutgers University student. The Youngstown Area Chapter of Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG, http://www.pflag.org) is concerned about the bullying that in some cases was implicated in these suicides. Our mission includes support, education, and advocacy regarding issues faced by our lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) friends and loved ones.

We are speaking with concerned parents, local school personnel, and youth organizations to offer guidance and information on the realities facing LGBT youth. We are pleased with the cooperation we have received from the schools and look forward to expanding our work.

The societal problem needs to be addressed as well. We must challenge the acceptability of hateful speech against LGBT people that we see too often coming from the news and entertainment media, religious pulpits, and government. Federal and state laws unconscionably label LGBT people as inferior by denying them protection from discrimination in employment, housing, marriage rights, tax law, child adoption, and military service. This is institutional bullying that appears to give society’s approval to the schoolyard bully and can drive a desperate young person to contemplate suicide.

To speak with a PFLAG support person or for more information about our activities, please contact us through Help Hotline by phoning 211 or 330-747-2696.

Marguerite Felice, Youngstown

The writer is president of Youngstown Area PFLAG.