OGDEN — The public is invited to attend a free forum, Tuesday, to discuss the risks to students who have been a target of anti-gay bullying.
Outreach Resource Center, a center for lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender and Allied Youth will present the discussion in conjunction with Ogden PFLAG. The topic of discussion is on a new law that mandates schools to notify parents of bullying incidents highlighting the risks it has on gay students, according to a press release from the Outreach Center.
LGBT students and those perceived to be gay can be targets of anti-gay bullying resulting in being “outed” to their families. This could result in family rejection including increased risks for depression, suicide or being kicked out of their homes, the press release stated.
Appropriate guidelines are needed to reduce these risks and increase the success of bill, which is safety for all students, the release stated.
Information on the law will be presented by a group of panelists who will share personal experiences and perspectives on the risks of bullying, as well as parental rejection and support of LGBT youth in the home and schools.
The public is invited to share their own perspectives and experiences of bullying, how schools have helped or hindered, and their thoughts and opinions on the new law and potential risks to students.
“Bullying is a huge problem, and we know from the youth we work with that schools struggle to respond appropriately to keep students safe in our local schools. For LGBT students, bullying is far too common, with eight of 10 youth reporting being bullied,” said Rev. Marian Edmonds, Executive Director, Outreach Resource Center.
The forum will take place at the Weber County Library Auditorium, 2464 Jefferson Ave. in Ogden at 7 p.m.
