GLSEN Hyperlink

     As I read the various articles on the GLSEN website, what first struck me was the websites claims to raising awareness about Lesbian, Gay and Transgendered with the statistical information to back up their claims.  I immediately thought about my awareness about the gay, lesbian and transgendered society, people and culture.  From the first time I asked my Mom what "gay" was, after watching an episode of the Ellen Degeneres show, no it wasn't during that iconic moment but rather later when my older sister pointed at her and said she was gay.  Since then LGT remarks with a negative connotation have become a common part of societies' vocabulary.  Despite this insensitivity towards the subject of LGT issues, I noticed there have been movements toward equality and sensitivity to the issues, especially in the media.  I believe that the media has played a big role in desensitizing society to the LGT.  These two movie trailers are movies that received critical acclaim and numerous awards, I had to watch both of them in High School in my health class, the artistic qualities of the movie highlight the feelings and difficulties that LGT people go through and I credit my teachers to having us watch them and to the creators and actors in the films for trying to bring some justice and respect to Lesbians, Gays and Transgendered people through film.  After watching the movie I definitely was more conscious of mine and societies prejudices against LGT.     

     The bullying article, From Teasing to Torment, had the greatest effect on me.  Everyone has felt bullied at one point or another, including myself but I always had someone I could turn to, who would understand because we had something in common.  Along with the academic issues that the article highlights, there is also the mental well being of the bullied kids.  A lot of LGT kids in schools  who are bullied feel like they have no where to turn and this can lead to social problems and even attempts at suicide.  I don't know if everyone remembers when this student at Rutgers committed suicide but it was truly horrifying and a sickening display of bullying. The numbers in the article are also truly staggering to see the direct correlation of LGT students who are essentially bullied out of school.

     Because of the religious sentiment toward homosexuality, our predominantly christian society has taken issue with a lot of homosexual culture.  This had led to negative connotations with the words "gay" and "homosexual"and has had a harmful affect on any and all students, employees and people that are lesbian, gay or transgendered.  However I believe that the right course of action is being taken to raise awareness through the media, organizations and groups to start a movement to move for equality.  This website is a perfect testament to this.  Regardless, atrocities still happen.  Matthew Shepard was kidnapped, beat up basically tortured and left to die tied to a fence in the middle of a field in Laramie, Wyoming because he was gay.   It is important to remember that people who are Lesbian, Gay or Transgendered are people, and they should be treated as such.