bullying

Caleb Laieski, a 16-year old bullied youth from Arizona, was invited to the White House to share his experience. Laieski was one of the few youth chosen to meet with President Obama. While meeting with him, Laieski proposed he appoint an LGBT youth advisor to the President; to specifically address anti-LGBT bullying and other major issues that LGBT youth face. Bullying led Caleb to pursue his GED instead of a high school diploma. Laieski lost a close friend his age to suicide last year.

The Huffington Post has named GLSEN Board Member Sirdeaner Walker its Greatest Person of the Day. Since the loss of her son two years ago, Sirdeaner has been an outspoken advocate for the Safe Schools Improvement Act, a federal anti-bullying bill that includes explicit protections for bullying based on sexual orientation and gender identity, among other personal characteristics. When Sirdeaner Walker found out her son was being bullied and called homophobic slurs, she told his school about it.

A high school girl will be among a group of young people and parents sharing their suggestions on how to prevent bullying with President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama. Kimiko Nishitsuji [pic], a 17-year-old, was chosen to attend the conference after being featured in several articles and making an online video for the Make it Better Project. She was bullied when she attended middle school, and said stopping bullying needs to start with the adults.

Aye Jay Long [pictured], a high school freshman, gave testimony before a Kentucky House panel that was considering strengthening a proposed school bullying bill. Immediately after the testimony, lawmakers passed the bill that includes sexual orientation in school bully policies. Long testified before state lawmakers that he was bullied constantly by classmates after he told them he was gay. "They started out with names like gay, fag and all that stuff," Long said. "And then it got to the point where I was being shoved into lockers.

January is “No Name-Calling Month” at Barnes & Noble, the world’s largest bookseller. The campaign is aimed at bringing attention to name-calling and bullying of all kinds. Stores across the country will host a national Storytime event and other activities. Barnes & Noble.com will feature exclusive video content from bestselling children’s, young adult and adult authors discussing their thoughts and experiences on bullying.

At least seven bills related to bullying have been filed in Texas. Some may require school districts to develop strategies to combat bullying and cyberbullying, train school employees, and launch educational programs for students and parents.

The bills would also require districts to notify a parent or guardian quickly of a student involved in bullying, and give school boards the power to transfer a student who is being bullied to another school.

The Student Non-Discrimination Act has been introduced by Senator Al Franken and 22 co-sponsors. The SNDA would prohibit discrimination in schools on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity/expression. It's noted as an important step toward ensuring that all students are valued and respected and can learn in an environment free from harassment and discrimination.