Student Non-Discrimination Act

Moved to a journal entry for more visibility by: origamidragon
Originally submitted as a comment by: Dametora

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Here's an email I have received about the Student Non-Discrimination Act:
“We are all asked to sign a number of petitions each year in relation to various advocacy efforts. This petition for H.R. 998, the “Student Non-Discrimination Act”, is extremely important for the welfare of LGBT youth across America. Please sign and share.

You can also send a note to your United States representative or senator at POPVOX."

I REALLY recommend that everyone send a personal letter via the POPVOX link. You have to sign up with the site but it’s worth it. Especially since most people are opposing this legislation (on the site). Please, please, send a personal letter.

Here’s my letter:

    I support H.R. 998: Student Non-Discrimination Act of 2011 because I know the problems bullying can have, especially in regards to the ideas of sexuality and gender.

    When I was a young girl, I was constantly mocked for being “too much like a boy” and called a “dyke” and other nasty things, and had no friends because of it. I am bisexual, sure, but I never realized it until my adulthood - I refused to let myself feel towards anybody, especially other girls. I have a hard time connecting with the people around me because of my experiences with bullying, not just because of the attacks on my gender and perceived sexual orientation but also for other reasons. I think it’s time to take a stand on bullying, which is a real problem.

    I’ve studied extensively into the fields of Sociology and Psychology. In a textbook, a study was cited where boys were ruthlessly attacked based on “fagginess”, and so in turn the boys would sexually harass and assault the girls to “prove their manhood” and try to stop other boys from bullying them. It’s time to put a stop to this kind of behaviour which teaches our children dangerous things that have a serious impact on society when they reach adulthood.

That’s what I think everyone needs to do in their letter - not just talk about their experience but also the impact on society this sort of crap makes. Talk about suicide and depression rates, talk not only about bullying in students but also in teachers, talk about how people are hurt based on “not acting like they should” even if they are cis and straight, talk about all kinds of bullying, talk about the impact it has on our now cynical and brutal society, talk about things that will appeal to everyone not just the LGBT-sympathetic.