The issue of the bullying of GLBT kids in school and the sometimes tragic consequences that result are continuing to receive more attention. This story from ABC News focuses on a recent hearing of the House of Representatives Education Committee on the subject. Here's an excerpt:
Sirdeaner Walker was cooking dinner for her family while her son Carl was in his room, where she thought he was doing his homework.
Instead, she later discovered, Carl had hanged himself with an extension cord around his neck. He was 11 years old.
Before his death in April, Carl told his mother he was being pushed around and teased for being "gay" and called a "faggot." But when Walker alerted the school, she said they portrayed Carl as the problem.
"I did everything that a parent is supposed to," Walker said. "I choose a 'good' school; I joined the PTO; I went to every parent-teacher conference; I called the school regularly and brought the bullying problem to the staff's attention. And the school did not act. The teachers did not know how to respond.
"School bullying is a national crisis and we need a national solution to deal with it," Walker said. "Teachers, administrators and other school personnel need additional support and clear guidance about how to ensure that all kids feel safe in school. Congress can make sure they have that guidance and support by making anti-bullying policies mandatory at all of our nation's schools."
There's a lot more in the article. Click here to read the rest of it.
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