During a three-week span beginning last month, five students - Tyler Clementi, Raymond Chase, Seth Walsh, Billy Lucas and Asher Brown - committed suicide because of bullying brought on by their sexual orientation. That their ages ranged from 13 up to early 20s shows that bullying and victimization does not stop after high school. Even students at the University are not exempt: A student was assaulted on the Corner last month allegedly because of his sexual orientation. Attacks and victimization based on sexual preference is unacceptable and action must be taken to ensure no more lives are lost to bullying.
The University's Oct. 7 "End Victimization of LGBTQ Youth" forum was a good first step to bring awareness to the problem, but the community must continue finding other ways to address the issues. The purpose of the forum was to make "a commitment to end the victimization of LGBTQ youth and to reaffirm the importance of treating others with dignity and respect," according to a statement by the Minority Rights Coalition. It also provided an opportunity to organize a Oct. 20 vigil honoring those who took their lives.
The University community already has a number of resources for LGBTQ students. The Safe Space Program, for example, informs faculty and staff about the LGBTQ community and teaches them how to be an ally. Participants receive a Safe Space sticker upon completion of the program, representing acceptance, respect and alliance with the community. The University also boasts an LGBT Resource Center, which provides information and support for LGBTQ students and allies, and organizes programs like the Speaker's Bureau and a coffee hour. Then there is the Queer Student Union, which is a group for LGBTQ students that organizes events such as "Proud to Be Out Week" - a week full of fun and educational events to promote acceptance of all lifestyles. Additionally, the University's Counseling and Psychological Services provides a lesbian, gay, bisexual support group for students.
Clearly, the University has a large support network for LGBTQ students, and there are already some initiatives in place to raise awareness of issues relating to sexual orientation. But in light of recent tragedies, the University and its organizations must not only provide resources for sexual minorities, but also foster discussions on ways the entire community can prevent bullying and intolerance based on sexual orientation. The End Victimization of LGBTQ Youth forum was an important start and will continue through "All Charlottesville Caring for Every Person Together," which is organizing the Oct. 20 vigil. Rachel Farr, one of the founders of the organization, said that the vigil aims to "increase awareness to the national crisis of LGBTQ youth who have died from suicide precipitated by victimization and bullying and provide resources and inform people of ways to intervene and create positive change." The event will also feature important resources on how to prevent bullying and victimization in schools, how to support LGBTQ youth, and how to prevent additional tragedies.
ACCEPT is "a grassroots, volunteer-based, community-wide effort in the Charlottesville area to end victimization and bullying of children and youth - particularly those who are LGBTQ," Farr said. The organization has plans to continue its work not only at the University, but in local middle and high schools as well. Plans at local schools include "a teacher training program for how to intervene when bullying is taking place and a 'safe space' program in which teachers 'donate' their classroom as a safe space for all," Farr said.
Members of the University have made important strides in creating acceptance and tolerance at our school. ACCEPT's vigil on Wednesday is an important event for our community and one students should attend. It is unfortunate that such tragic circumstances were necessary to create an organization like ACCEPT, but this group is past due. Hopefully this new program will serve as a tool to facilitate discussions not only within the University, but also within the greater Charlottesville area. Students should join ACCEPT at the vigil and in other discussions to move forward after such tragedies to ensure that they do not continue at our University.
Claire Shotwell is an associate editor for The Cavalier Daily. She can be reached at c.shotwell@cavalierdaily.com.
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