Youth

Just last month in this column we discussed antigay bullying in our Back to School issue. It is with a very heavy heart that we revisit this issue after the very recent suicides of at least four teens.

Today, as we heard news of the fourth apparent teenage suicide in recent weeks, following antigay bullying and harassment, we felt overwhelming grief and anger. Losing one young person because of bigotry and hate is too much—but two, three, four?

From September 2010 eNews

Q: Two weeks ago, I started 8th grade at a new middle school. My old school had a diversity day every year and I wore a T-shirt from that event my first week at the new school. A group of kids saw it and they haven't stopped hassling me since. They even threw my backpack into a trash can in the cafeteria. I told the principal but the only thing she said was to not wear the shirt. Is there anything else I can do?

A: There's a lot more you can do.

Last Friday, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a friend-of-the-court brief in support of discrimination claims against Indian River Central School District in a federal lawsuit filed by Lambda Legal, with the assistance of Kirkland & Ellis LLP, on behalf of Charlie Pratt, who suffered sexist and antigay harassment at school.

(Philadelphia, PA October 27, 2009) — Today Lambda Legal filed a complaint with the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations (PCHR) against the City of Philadelphia and the Youth Study Center (YSC) among others on behalf of a 17-year-old transgender girl who was physically attacked by other residents and verbally abused by staff every day for almost a year and a half.

(Los Angeles, November 3, 2009) — Lambda Legal applauds the Los Angeles Police Commission for finally voting to end its association with Learning for Life, a youth training program closely affiliated with Boy Scouts of America. The decision came the same day that Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced the appointment of Deputy Police Chief Charlie Beck as the department's new head.

(Medford, Oregon, April 17, 2009) — Lambda Legal has sent a letter of support to South Medford High School Principal Kevin Campbell, Medford School District Superintendent Phil Long, and the School Board on behalf of South Medford High School student and Gay Straight Alliance member Connie McNair.

(Philadelphia, NY April 17, 2009) — Just days after Lambda Legal, with the assistance of Kirkland & Ellis LLP, filed a federal lawsuit against the Indian River Central School District, the District said it will allow Ashley Petranchuk to form a Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA).

(Gary, Indiana, September 26, 2008) — Late yesterday the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana denied Gary high school's motion to dismiss a case brought by transgender former student K.K. Logan, who was barred from prom because she wore a dress.

"We are thrilled that K.K. Logan will have a day in court, and that the school's discriminatory policies can be challenged," said Jim Madigan, Staff Attorney in Lambda Legal's Midwest Regional Office in Chicago.

(San Diego, October 10, 2008) — In a 3-0 decision, the California Court of Appeal (Fourth District) today upheld a jury decision that found that Poway Unified School District officials took minimal or no action at all when two Poway High School students were subjected to relentless harassment because they are gay and lesbian. The ruling upheld an award of $300,000 to Megan Donovan and Joey Ramelli under the state education code.