Panel focuses on eliminating gay bullying in schools

Bullying in schools is not a new problem. In fact, it's happened for generations. But some parents, churches and even school employees are making things worse, according to some concerned residents who attended a panel on bullying April 3.

One man who didn't identify himself except to say he was a bus driver for Pinellas County Schools, said he complained to the district about antigay remarks and gestures he witnessed on the bus, but his supervisor was not supported.

Many other stories of bullying and anti-gay sentiments were shared by the nearly 50 people attending the forum at St. Paul's Lutheran Church.

The discussion was led by three professionals who have worked with young victims of gay bullying: Shelbi Day, a lawyer for the American Civil Liberties Union Tampa branch; Steve Kornell, a St. Petersburg City Council member and Pinellas schools social worker; and the Rev. Buz Van Horne, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in St. Petersburg. The forum was sponsored by  the regional chapter of Lutherans Concerned, a nonprofit that promotes justice for all, including lesbian, bisexual, gay and transgender individuals.

â┚¬Å”The impetus behind this panel was the death of seven teens by suicide in the last six to eight months throughout the country,â┚¬Â said Steve Miller, president of the regional chapter. â┚¬Å”One young man took his life after his sexual orientation was exposed online.â┚¬Â

Anti-bullying laws are important, the panelists said, but not everyone understands their reach.

â┚¬Å”There is an anti-bullying law for schools,â┚¬Â Day said. â┚¬Å”It defines bullying as the use of threatening, humiliating or intimidating behavior of various types. It is never okay for a teacher to make antigay jokes or mock a student's behavior.â┚¬Â

Each school also is required by law to enact its own policy against bullying and harassing.

However, laws won't work if they aren't enforced or if students are afraid to use it, according to Kornell, who is the city's first openly gay elected official. He is also a social worker for two Pinellas County schools.

â┚¬Å”Putting policy in place is only 50 percent,â┚¬Â the St. Petersburg City Councilman said. â┚¬Å”The other half is making sure teachers and staff are enforcing policy and that isn't always happening.â┚¬Â

A child's home environment can lead to bullying, according to Day. She said that a parent she met promised he would â┚¬Å”beat the gaynessâ┚¬Â out of his child.

â┚¬Å”Many kids can't go home and talk to their parents,â┚¬Â she said.

While St. Paul's Lutheran Church is LGBT affirming, Van Horne questioned the wisdom of other anti-gay churches and religions that say therapy can cure homosexuality.

â┚¬Å”That approach can be devastating for a teen,â┚¬Â Van Horne said.

Fortunately, Gay-Straight Alliances are popular in Pinellas County Schools and only one schoolâ┚¬â€East Lake Highâ┚¬â€doesn't have one. The alliances are initiated by students and help strengthen self-esteem and diminish bullying. Finding sponsors for those groups, however, can prove challenging.

â┚¬Å”Teachers, either gay or straight, sometimes don't feel comfortable with this group,â┚¬Â Day said.

But Kornell said teachers and principals in Pinellas County are more often supportive than not.

Van Horne referred to the popular It Gets Better project created by author and columnist Dan Savage. The YouTube sensation showcases adult LGBTs and allies encouraging LGBT youth that with time, things do improve.