San Diego is being represented at the White House as President Obama hosts a conference to hear concerns about anti-LGBT bullying.
The anti-bullying prevention conference, taking place March 10 at the White House, is being hosted by Obama, the Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services. The conference unites students, teachers and parents to discuss ways to prevent and respond to the estimated 13 million students a year who are bullied in American schools. San Diegan Vincent Pompei is attending.
“I was chosen by the National Education Association as one of five people members to attend in person, Pompei told the San Diego LGBT Weekly. “ I will represent California and San Diego proudly.”
Pompei is a co-producer of Solutions to a Crisis: Supporting Students, Saving Lives, the annual Center of Excellence in School Counseling and Leadership (CESCaL) conference for educators to empower themselves to fight negative statistics in schools. He is also a school counselor.
“For a long time, bullying was treated as an unavoidable part of growing up but more and more we’re seeing how harmful it can be for our kids, especially when it follows them from their school, their phone, their computer screen,” the president said in a public service announcement, released by ABC news.
The Obamas said in the announcement there are resources and leaders in communities who are working to curb bullying. The conference is providing information on recognizing risk factors of bullying and violence prevention.
“It’s tough enough being a kid today,” Michelle Obama said in the PSA. “Our children deserve the chance to learn and grow without constantly being picked on, made fun of or worse.”
You can also join in the conversation online at stopbullying.gov or on Facebook. The Obamas hope that people will participate and take action “because putting a stop to bullying is a responsibility we all share.”
