Gov. Support for LGBT Youth of Southwestern PA on the Rise

Hey yinz! We just put out this press release with PSEC and GLSEN Pittsburgh about some really awesome updates from this week. Read below for all the info. The Mayor of Pittsburgh even released his own image for youth to post around on Facebook (see below). I hope everyone has had a meaningful Day of Silence / PA: Breaking the Silence – Night of Noise!  -Nichole

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Governmental Support for LGBT Youth of Southwestern PA on the Rise

PITTSBURGH, PA– The City of Pittsburgh has made several historic steps toward addressing anti-LGBT bullying this week.

On Tuesday, April 17, Council member Bruce Kraus convened a roundtable hearing on anti-LGBT based school bullying. Leadership from several major anti-bullying and LGBT community organizations in Pittsburgh delivered testimony regarding the severity of bullying in the Pittsburgh Public Schools. Council member Bruce Kraus stated, “the inherent value in each and every individual and their worth in society should not be a sensitive subject” thus indicating his desire to bring bullying to everyone’s attention, particularly parents and teachers.

Ian Syphard, Chair of GLSEN Pittsburgh also commented on the roundtable discussion. “It’s everyone in the system that needs the training on how to handle these tough situations, top down bottom up”, thus emphasizing the need for the current staff members to be trained on how to deal with bullying in their school. Janet Yuhasz, the Student Support Services Coordinator and Compliance Officer for Bullying and Harassment from Pittsburgh Public Schools said “Knowing more about the resources is one thing, and the second piece is making sure we’re spreading the word about that.”

On Thursday, April 19, leaders from the Pennsylvania Student Equality Coalition (PSEC) met with members of the Mayor’s LGBT Advisory Council to discuss LGBT youth needs in the City of Pittsburgh. This meeting was well attended by LGBT non-profit staff and others interested in making schools safe for LGBT students.

Mayor Luke Ravenstahl recognized the Day of Silence on behalf of the City of Pittsburgh in an official proclamation and specifically commended GLSEN and the Pennsylvania Student Equality Coalition for the work these organizations do with LGBT youth. This is the first known mayoral proclamation recognizing the Day of Silence in Pennsylvania.

Today, April 20th, is GLSEN’s National Day of Silence where youth refrain from speaking during the day to stand in solidarity with the hundreds of thousands of youth that are oppressed and silenced in schools every day because of their real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. PSEC has been working with student leaders across the state to hold this crucial event. In Pennsylvania there are thousands of high school and college students participating. Also there are several Pittsburgh Public Schools administrators wearing the GLSEN Pittsburgh official Day of Silence shirts.

PSEC Executive Director Jason Landau Goodman stated that “silence is the most powerful of sounds today; when we are asked to reflect about all the voices we do not hear – and work toward a world in which we can all raise our voices and be heard; free to express, identify, and feel without fear.”

###

The Pennsylvania Student Equality Coalition (PSEC) is PA’s statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth organization working towards safe schools and communities for all.

The Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN) Pittsburgh, is a chapter of the leading national education organization focused on ensuring safe schools for all students. GLSEN Pittsburgh strives to assure that each member of every school community is valued and respected regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. Founded in 1990, GLSEN National, envisions a world in which every child learns to respect and accept all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. GLSEN seeks to develop school climates where difference is valued for the positive contribution it makes to creating a more vibrant and diverse community. For information on GLSEN’s research, educational resources, public policy advocacy, student organizing programs and educator training initiatives, visit www.glsen.org.

www.pennsec.org
www.glsenpittsburgh.org

Leave a Reply