A [retired] college psychology professor's observations about public policy, mental health, sexual identity, and religious issues
A relatively new tabloid in Uganda has taken a bad situation and made it worse. The Rolling Stone (no relation to the US music magazine) has a cover story with pictures. Here is the cover supplied by a reader:
It is hard to see but the subcaption says: Hang Them.
GayUganda and Boxturtlebulletin has more…
The link for the statement is here…
U.S. Department of Education
Office of Communications & Outreach, Press Office
400 Maryland Ave., S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20202
FOR RELEASE
Oct. 1, 2010
Contact: Press Office
(202) 401-1576 or [email protected]
STATEMENT BY U.S. SECRETARY OF EDUCATION ARNE DUNCAN
On the Recent Deaths of Two Young Men
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today released the following statement:
“This week, we sadly lost two young men who took their own lives for one unacceptable reason: they were being bullied and harassed because they were openly gay or believed to be gay. These unnecessary tragedies come on the heels of at least three other young people taking their own lives because the trauma of being bullied and harassed for their actual or perceived sexual orientation was too much to bear.
“This is a moment where every one of us – parents, teachers,
students, elected officials, and all people of conscience – needs to stand up and speak out against intolerance in all its forms. Whether it’s students harassing other students because of ethnicity, disability or religion; or an adult, public official harassing the President of the University of Michigan student body because he is gay, it is time we as a country said enough. No more. This must stop.”
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A group called Parents Advocacy Committee for Educational Rights (PACER) has hosted a National Bullying Prevention week for the past four years. This year they are observing this week as usual but have also expanded the event through the month of October.
At the link above, many activities and ideas are provided for classroom teachers and youth leaders. I signed the pledge and encourage you to do so and pass the link along.
CNN is focusing on bullying this week, starting with a segment on bullying featuring and appearance with Kevin Jennings and Kirk Smalley this morning. The page for all of their coverage is here.
The New York Times had an article yesterday on the topic of GLB suicides related to bullying.
I plan to post frequently this week on the topic and hope we can continue to work through issues which divide to get a societal consensus on how to address the problems.