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Help Michigan Students Stop the “License to Bully” Bill—
[TW for homophobia, transphobia, gay bashing, bullying]
Why this is Important
It’s tough being a student when bullies are allowed to physically and verbally hurt you at school. Unfortunately, because of a dangerous new bill passed by the Michigan State Senate, it’s only going to get worse.
On November 2, minutes before voting to pass a new bullying bill, the Michigan State Senate added special language that provides a blueprint for bullies. According to this language, as long as the bullying is done because of “a sincerely held religious belief or moral conviction,” then it’s ok.
As students, we deserve better. And if enough of us speak up, we can stop this dangerous bill.
I was in 7th grade putting my books in my locker when a few guys game up behind me. They called me a faggot and a dyke and asked me why I even bothered to show my face at school because no one liked me. I ignored them because I was scared of what else they might say and who else they might tell if I stood up to them. I went to shut my locker when an 8th grader pushed me against the wall. I didn’t know what to do so I stood there, alone and afraid. One of his friends slammed my locker shut on my hand breaking my fourth finger. I held back tears while I watched them run away laughing. When I got home I lied to my parents about what happened to my finger because I didn’t want them to tell the school. I was afraid the school would do nothing accept call me out in front of everyone.
My name is Katy Butler, I am now a junior at Greenhills School in Ann Arbor Michigan and I am lesbian. For me, 7th grade was four years ago and writing about that event, even thinking about it, I still tear up. Stopping the “License to Bully” bill (SB 137) and passing real anti-bullying legislation is so important to me because I don’t want anyone else to have to have such strong, painful memories. Being bullied because of something I couldn’t change hurt, but it hurt even more that my school did not do anything about something that they could change.
My story is not unique. Students all across Michigan have stories just like mine. Students like my friend Carson Borbely, who is currently in eighth grade:
“A few weeks ago in class, I brushed a friend’s hair away from her face. A loud voice sharply interrupted, ‘Don’t touch her. Trannies carry diseases.’ The teacher didn’t do anything. That was the fourth incident in her class that I had been harassed by the same boy. Nothing was done. The only reprimand he got was a sharp calling of his name. The teacher asked him passively to stop. He continued.”
Carson and I are speaking out for all those students who suffer every day at school. We’re speaking out because we deserve a bill that will actually protect us at school, not make it more dangerous, or give bullies a free pass. People keep telling us youth “It Gets Better”. Well it can’t get better if you don’t make it better. I’m doing my part to help, please do yours.
Please stand with students across the state and sign our petition demanding that the Michigan State Legislature pass a real anti-bullying bill. One that doesn’t have special exceptions, but does list the reasons students are bullied most often, and does add reporting requirements. A bill that actually protects students.
Sincerely,
Katy Butler, Michigan high school studentCarson Borbely, Michigan junior high school student
——————————————
VV comment: I don’t know why assault in schools isn’t taken seriously. If I, as an adult, took someone’s hand and smashed it in a locker, I would get arrested. In school, nothing happens.](http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lugspmbDXA1qdappmo1_400.jpg)
Help Michigan Students Stop the “License to Bully” Bill—
[TW for homophobia, transphobia, gay bashing, bullying]
Why this is Important
It’s tough being a student when bullies are allowed to physically and verbally hurt you at school. Unfortunately, because of a dangerous new bill passed by the Michigan State Senate, it’s only going to get worse.
On November 2, minutes before voting to pass a new bullying bill, the Michigan State Senate added special language that provides a blueprint for bullies. According to this language, as long as the bullying is done because of “a sincerely held religious belief or moral conviction,” then it’s ok.
As students, we deserve better. And if enough of us speak up, we can stop this dangerous bill.
I was in 7th grade putting my books in my locker when a few guys game up behind me. They called me a faggot and a dyke and asked me why I even bothered to show my face at school because no one liked me. I ignored them because I was scared of what else they might say and who else they might tell if I stood up to them. I went to shut my locker when an 8th grader pushed me against the wall. I didn’t know what to do so I stood there, alone and afraid. One of his friends slammed my locker shut on my hand breaking my fourth finger. I held back tears while I watched them run away laughing. When I got home I lied to my parents about what happened to my finger because I didn’t want them to tell the school. I was afraid the school would do nothing accept call me out in front of everyone.
My name is Katy Butler, I am now a junior at Greenhills School in Ann Arbor Michigan and I am lesbian. For me, 7th grade was four years ago and writing about that event, even thinking about it, I still tear up. Stopping the “License to Bully” bill (SB 137) and passing real anti-bullying legislation is so important to me because I don’t want anyone else to have to have such strong, painful memories. Being bullied because of something I couldn’t change hurt, but it hurt even more that my school did not do anything about something that they could change.
My story is not unique. Students all across Michigan have stories just like mine. Students like my friend Carson Borbely, who is currently in eighth grade:
“A few weeks ago in class, I brushed a friend’s hair away from her face. A loud voice sharply interrupted, ‘Don’t touch her. Trannies carry diseases.’ The teacher didn’t do anything. That was the fourth incident in her class that I had been harassed by the same boy. Nothing was done. The only reprimand he got was a sharp calling of his name. The teacher asked him passively to stop. He continued.”
Carson and I are speaking out for all those students who suffer every day at school. We’re speaking out because we deserve a bill that will actually protect us at school, not make it more dangerous, or give bullies a free pass. People keep telling us youth “It Gets Better”. Well it can’t get better if you don’t make it better. I’m doing my part to help, please do yours.
Please stand with students across the state and sign our petition demanding that the Michigan State Legislature pass a real anti-bullying bill. One that doesn’t have special exceptions, but does list the reasons students are bullied most often, and does add reporting requirements. A bill that actually protects students.
Sincerely,Katy Butler, Michigan high school student
Carson Borbely, Michigan junior high school student——————————————
VV comment: I don’t know why assault in schools isn’t taken seriously. If I, as an adult, took someone’s hand and smashed it in a locker, I would get arrested. In school, nothing happens.
This is a trailer for a documentary that is slated for release in early 2012. This isn’t about just your typical gay couple. They have taken a proactive approach to show that being gay and raising a family is possible. Hopefully you’ll post it XD.
On November 9th, Dan Savage was the recipient of a “glitter bomb” stunt for the second time this month so far. He was continuing his MTV tour at University of California Irvine.
One of the students involved in the stunt was grabbed by the police and arrested.
According to my source at the event, Savage was in the middle of answering a question from a student who was wondering if her boyfriend was a freak because he watched porn featuring trans women. Savage suggested that her boyfriend was a freak, while freely using the terms “shemale” and “freaky tranny porn.” That is when two individuals ran up and threw glitter on him yelling “Transphobe!” Someone from the MTV tech crew muttered “Oh, not again!” Savage laughed it off and said that being gay he loves glitter.
Later, when another student was asking him about the incident, Savage answered, “I’m used to it.”
Savage’s use of the terms “tranny” and “shemale” are a minor part of the complaints being lodged against him, however, the use of those slurs is the most visible and most discussed part of them. Savage has claimed that he was transphobic 15 years ago but isn’t anymore, however, if that is true than why would Dan choose to use those same derogatory slurs knowing how much anger it draws from the trans community and so soon on the heels of the first glitter stunt?
Was he being antagonistic or just oblivious?
Considering that he is being called transphobic so frequently that he now says he is “used to it,” it’s hard to understand how he can continue to see himself as a spokesperson for the LGBT community rather than solely a gay spokesperson. Especially when he apparently has begun bringing police to his events to protect him from the community he claims to represent.
i’ve never had such an urge to gouge someones eyes out until this man came along so needless to say i was pissed that he was included in logo’s lgbt history month or w/e its called
oh my god he is awful
disgusting fucking human being.
Being “used to it” doesn’t make it okay Mr. Savage. It just makes you a fucking dolt for not changing the way you talk publicly about trans* people.
This man is NOT an LGBT spokesperson. I do not accept that.
(Source: thecuntmentality, via )
There is no wrong way to have a body.
Excuse me while I throw this down, I’m old and cranky and tired of hearing the idiocy repeated by people who ought to know better.
Real women do not have curves. Real women do not look like just one…
Gay rights activists: known universally for their awesome signs
I will always reblog.
bless all of these people
Always reblog.
these are the greatest fucking signs I’ve ever seen
this makes me happy
I love this
this made my week. knowing that gays are stripped of their rights and still have funny ass signs to make about it. keep it up, i ALWAYS support gay rights ;)!
(Source: thesedamndays, via )
lol so can we talk about how in every bible and catechism class I have ever had to take
we were taught about how David and Jonathan were ~best bros~
when this was
obviously
not the case
#that time there was a gay couple in the bible and nobody talked about it ever
SLDKGHSLKDGH
(Source: scaly-panties, via )
