Category Archives: Breaking News

Judge sentences Dharun Ravi to 30 days in prison

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Chalk up one more round of fuel to the LGBTQ community’s fire when it comes to the oh-so-public Tyler Clementi case.

Judge Glen Berman on Monday sentenced Dharun Ravi to spend a probationary 30 days in prison after relaying convictions on all 15 charges. The result has LGBTQ youth rallying their pitchforks and torches even higher in emerging outrage of the trial’s outcome.

“I was outraged. I felt he definitely needed more than 30 days,” said Robert Romas, a student at Carver High School of Engineering. “Thirty days? That’s someone’s life!”

Ravi’s most significant conviction, the much sought-after hate crime charge of bias intimidation, allowed the judge to deliver anywhere between 30 days and 10 years in prison.

Judge Berman, who insists that Ravi’s actions were “insensitive” but not hateful, used the example of New Jersey’s broad legal definition of its bias intimidation laws as an additional reason for the controversial decision.

The New Jersey-based activist organization Garden State Equality issued this statement in response to the judge’s decision:

“Dharun Ravi wasn’t convicted of a bias crime unfairly. Dharun Ravi was convicted of a bias crime because his own words broadcast anti-gay animus to Tyler Clementi and the world.”

In addition to serving a likely-to-be-appealed 30 days in prison, Ravi will also be required to commit to community service involving the aid of those living what the judge called “alternative lifestyles.”

Upon reading the verdict, Ravi, whose lawyer claims he has been “demonized by the gay community,” refused to apologize to the Clementi family when prompted by the judge.

“When politicians give public apologies, to me, it always sounds so insincere and false,” he said. “No matter what I say, people will take it that way.”

You’ve got that right.

 

 

 

President Obama endorses same-sex marriage

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Sifting through the names of US presidents who have openly supported same-sex marriage while in office, there should be only one name that pops up: Barack Obama.

On May 9, President Obama sat down with a previously scheduled interview with ABC News correspondent Robin Roberts to discuss aspects of his presidency, his policies and – to the world’s surprise – his views of same-sex marriage, offering a personal and heartfelt endorsement of equality.

“There have been times where Michelle and I have been sitting around the dinner table and we’re talking about their friends and their parents and Malia and Sasha, it wouldn’t dawn on them that somehow their friends’ parents would be treated differently,” Obama said. “It doesn’t make sense to them and, frankly, that’s the kind of thing that prompts a change in perspective.”

The change of heart comes days after Vice President Joe Biden was asked about his own views on same-sex marriage on Meet the Press, responding by saying that he was “comfortable” with giving gay couples the same rights as their heterosexual counterparts, but hesitated to say that the president was supportive.

“I can’t speak to that; I don’t know the answer to that,” Biden said.

Officially reversing his previously “evolving” stance on same-sex marriage, Obama later issued a statement declaring his support and pitching the new stance as a means for fundraising, emphasizing that he has “always been adamant that gay and lebsian Americans should be treated fairly and equally.”

This new policy follows the Obama Administration’s repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy prohibiting the participation of openly gay and lesbian citizens in the US Armed Forces, as well as the administration’s endorsement of several acts in favor of same-sex rights. Such endorsements come at a time where the Democratic Party and its constituents are pushing for equal rights, leading many to question whether or not this is merely an election-year ploy.

Politics aside, Obama’s endorsement of same-sex marriage, the Student Non-Discrimination Act and the Safe Schools Improvement Act all point to a shift in rights and protections for LGBTQ community members. We’re eager to see what legislation President Obama might attempt if re-elected for another term.

This post was written by Nathan Mart, a junior at South Western High School and proud LGBTQ activist as a leader of his school’s Diversity Club.

 

 

 

Hanover student challenges school board over alleged bullying from teacher

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A student from Hanover, Jared Swank, is standing up to the administration of the Hanover Area School District after a teacher allegedly displayed a video to her students of Swank dancing with his date – a transgendered student – at their prom last Friday.

“Since I’ve come out in eighth grade, I’ve been made fun of by teachers – it’s an on-going thing, and students shouldn’t have to go through this,” Swank said.

Swank insists that his teacher inappropriately filmed him dancing with his date, then proceeding to show the footage to his class in a manner that could be considered bullying.

Swank and his mother, Dawn Mendygral, attended a regularly scheduled school board meeting last night to further address the issue. The board responded to their pleas by agreeing to internally investigate the matter and act accordingly.

Mendygral expressed in a statement on Thursday that she would like to see the teacher fired. The administration, however, does not appear to be making any hasty decisions.

“Once we understand what has occurred, we will do interviews and we will also interview [Mendygral] and [Swank] to understand their position and their statement and obviously the faculty involved and the students in the area,” said John Pericci, board president.

As of this afternoon, Swank still had not spoken to administrators about the incident.

Swank says he went to a guidance counselor a month ago with the goal of bringing to the school a gay advocate to speak and spread awareness of the profound effects of bullying in schools, but has not witnessed follow-up action since the meeting.

PSEC will continue to monitor the situation as events unfold.

 

Swarthmore College faces continued challenge of hate speech

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Chalk is for more than child’s play and blackboards, as it turns out.

The Daily Gazette, Swarthmore’s independent student publication, brought to the attention of the college’s community the defacing of a wall directly at the entrance of Worth Courtyard, tainted earlier today with homophobic language written in chalk that read, “Queer Dorms” and “Tits.” The writing then pointed with an arrow to the nearby Worth Hall and “Lodges,” conveying a disturbingly straightforward message of “Kill em’ all [sic].”

Local students and activists around the country are left wondering just who the ambiguous “all” entails.

“This hateful activity is harmful not only to LGBTQ students, but to the student body as a whole,” said Joy Horner, deputy director of the Pennsylvania Student Equality Coalition (PSEC). “This is a safety threat to the campus at large, and should be of everyone’s concern.”

Swarthmore administration officials have since denounced the act, insisting that the university is looking to take more aggressive action against hate speech going forward.

“…Swarthmore is not a community that will tolerate hate or threats against any member of our community,” Dean of Students Liz Braun said in a statement. “There is more work to be done.”

The college had a similar pair of occurrences last month; first during a “Pub Nite,” when a guest stood on a bench waving the Confederate flag, chanting and drawing negative attention from the event’s attendees, and again when a slew of homophobic slurs were written on David Kemp – a Swarthmore dorm building. The administration’s then-lukewarm response to the two incidents has manifested in increased tension between students and administrators leading into today’s events.

Will Lawrence, a witness of the chalk writings and student at Swarthmore, expressed concern to The Daily Gazette that these instances will only continue if the administration does not produce stronger reactions.

“Considering that this seems to be becoming a pattern, we really need to develop an immediate response mechanism among the students that will allow the community to denounce hate speech and express support for those who were targeted,” Lawrence said.

If history is in fact meant to repeat itself, this won’t be the last we see of this controversy at Swarthmore. For the sake of student safety and civic justice, we hope Swarthmore administrators will take these issues more seriously than they have in the past.

Brandon Baker is the Director of Communications for the Pennsylvania Student Equality Coalition (PSEC). Brandon can be contacted at bbaker@pennsec.org.

 

 

The White House for Safe Schools

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Last Friday during the Day of Silence, the White House came forward to support both the Safe Schools Improvement Act and the Student Nondiscrimination Act. This is a HUGE development. Check out the press release I wrote for PSEC for more information on the legislation and why this matters. Awesome step forward, White House!!


White House Supports Safe Schools Bills for LGBT Students

WH Endorses PA Sen.’s Anti-Bullying Legislation and the Student Non-Discrimination Act

HARRISBURG, PA— On Friday, April 20, the White House has come forward to support two key pieces of legislation to protect and support lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) students in schools across the nation. The Pennsylvania Student Equality Coalition (PSEC) commends The White House’s bold statement in support of Pennsyvlania’s US Senator Bob Casey’s Safe Schools Improvement Act (SSIA) as well as the Student Nondiscrimination Act (SNDA).

The Safe Schools Improvement Act would provide a required enumerated bullying policy in every public school district across the county. This enumeration would protection to students regardless of their real or perceived race, color, national origin, disability, sex, origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or religion. Additionally, this bill would add reporting requirements, mandating that every school district receiving federal funding comply with completing a needs assessment as well as biennial reports and evaluation.

The Student Nondiscrimination Act is a bill that actively provides protection for LGBT youth and gives them an outlet to pursue any discrimination they face in schools. This bill would provide federal protection for LGBT youth and allow them to seek remedies for any discrimination they face.

There are currently five Pennsylvania cosponsors of SNDA in the House and four Pennsylvania cosponsors for SSIA. Please see the attached maps for more information on the bi-partisan bills. At this time, Pennsylvania state law prescribes no such requirements for safe schools as SSIA or SNDA would put into place.

“I am proud of the Obama Administration for making a commitment to providing safe schools to students across the country,” said PSEC Deputy Director Joy Horner. “The Student Nondiscrimination Act provides crucial protection that LGBT students need in school districts across the country. The Administration’s support of these bills marks a key stamp of approval and continues to highlight the need for making schools a safer place for all – including LGBT students.”

PSEC has worked over the past year very seriously on these bills. PSEC student leaders from across the state have met multiple times with both of Pennsylvania’s US Senators offices in Pennsylvania and in Washington, DC specifically on SSIA and SNDA. PSEC continues to encourage fellow Pennsylvania Senator Pat Toomey to support the pair of legislative landmarks. Pennsylvania youth are energized by this promising endorsement, especially as the LGBT community commemorated the National Day of Silence the day the announcement was made.

“The Day of Silence is all about speaking up and making our voices heard – it seems The White House has heard our silence and noise, and we hope Congress will follow suit,” said PSEC Executive Director Jason Goodman.

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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.
www.pennsec.org

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

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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.”

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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

Day of Silence

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GLSEN’s National Day of Silence will take place tomorrow, April 20, 2012. Since 1996, GLSEN has sponsored this daylong, in-school action to promote support and compassion for all those silenced intheir schools due to bullying and anti-LGBTQ bias. The Day of Silence will be observed by thousands of students across the nation including at hundreds of schools across Pennsylvania.

The 2nd Annual “Pennsylvania: Breaking the Silence – Night of Noise” will take place in the afternoon with over 20 schools across the state. For this event, the schools observing the Day of Silence will break the silence together by releasing special-made balloons at the end of the day.

We join PSEC and PA students in encouraging everyone to change their Facebook (and other social media) profile pictures to one of the logos on here online for the day: http://pennsec.org/campus-and-local-resources/day-of-silence/.  You can email info@pennsec.org ifyou would like one made for your town.

Each registered school for the “PA: Breaking the Silence – Night of Noise” was sent printed balloons. As students gather at a central landmark at their school toward the end of the day, we asked that everyone write words or messages about how it feels to be silent with permanent marker on the balloon. After everyone in the group has had a chance to contribute, there will be final community remarks, followed by the balloons being released signifying the departure of silence from oppression.

Immediately following, organizations are planning avariety of events of noise, “Night of Noise”, including concerts and community forums to continue the dialogue. We will assemble pictures from all the different events in a collage and post it back here. What are you doing for the Day of Silence – Night of Noise?

Nichole Mahoney is the Pittsburgh Regional Coordinator for the Pennsylvania Student Equality Coalition and an undergraduate student at the University of Pittsburgh. Nichole is from Bethel Park in Allegheny County.

GSA given greenlight in Central PA

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ENOLA, PA— A GSA at East Pennsboro Area High School was approved in a unanimous  vote (7-0) this evening by their local school board. Earlier this month, the East Pennsboro Area School District Board of Directors voted down (4-4) the formation of a GSA at EPA HS.

Realizing what they had done, and following a media firestorm, it was predicted that at the meeting tonight they would approve the formation of the student group.

East Pennsboro Area School District is located on the West Shore region in Central Pennsylvania – directly across the river from our capital city of Harrisburg. East Pennsboro Area High School LGBTQ and ally students have had  an informal group for several years.

PSEC Co-Founder Jason Fluke,  who is a student at Penn State – Harrisburg and recent graduate of East Pennsboro Area School District, was present at the vote this evening with other  supporters from the community. Fluke said “this is a small victory for the queer community, but a larger victory for any individual who does not fit the caucasian, heterosexual norm.”

Today, the Patriot-News published an incredibly supportive editorial in favor of the GSA’s establishment:
Gay Alliance – East Pennsboro should get it right this time.

There was minimal discussion by the Board members before the final vote. They had a greatly positive dialogue  this evening in contrast to just a few weeks before.

Following the meeting, Fluke said “with the public establishment of Coexist, hopefully now the students will feel safe and empowered to find their voices.”

We couldn’t agree more.

The East Pennsboro Area School District Board of Directors before the final vote to approve the GSA.

Trans couple issued subpoenas in Pitt bomb threat case

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The US District Attorney’s office issued subpoenas on Thursday to two former Pitt-Johnstown students. The couple, Seamus (22) and Katherine Anne (56), of Cambria County, have been identified by the FBI as people of interest in the case of bomb threats at Pitt.

Over the past two months, over 30 bomb threats against buildings on the main campus have greatly disrupted university life. Seamus was an honors student at Pitt-Johnstown last fall, but was arrested and later expelled by the university for continuing to use the bathroom facilitates of the gender he identifies with – defying the university’s policy of only allowing students to use bathrooms which correspond with the sex on their birth certificates. Both Seamus and Katherine Anne identify as transgender. While the bathroom discrimination case is making its way through the university, this recent development comes as a surprise to many Pitt students. In a Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article published today, Seamus and Katherine Anne deny any involvement with the bomb threats.

Seamus and Katherine Anne will appear on Tuesday before a grand jury. We will post more information as it becomes available.

More information with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

KSV Launched!

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Today, April 12, 2012, we are officially launching The Keystone Student Voice! This online news blog will have the latest breaking information from across the state and nation as it relates to the PA LGBTQ youth community. All content will be written and posted by Pennsylvania LGBTQA youth and updated regularly. If you are interested in being a contributor, please contact Keystone Student Voice’s Executive Editor, Brandon Baker, at bbaker@pennsec.org. The Keystone Student Voice is an independent outlet sponsored by the Pennsylvania Student Equality Coalition, PA’s statewide LGBTQ youth organization.