This week Equality Louisiana has launched an online week of action against bullying in Louisiana.
In 2011 and 2012, three Louisiana students took their own lives as a result of the bullying and harassment they were subjected to. These three tragedies occurred in a span of less than twelve months.
A spokesperson for Equality Louisiana said, “We know Tesa Middlebrook, Hannah Pauley and Danielle Cox are not the only children we have lost. We have seen the many students’ faces in the news. There is nothing we can do to bring any of those students back, but we can fight for current and future Louisiana students. That is what this online campaign is about. ”
Equality Louisiana has worked with the Stop Bullying Louisiana Coalition for the past two years in their attempts to pass anti-bullying legislation that would give administrators, teachers and students tools to prevent these tragedies and to protect children. Both years, the Louisiana Family Forum has opposed the legislation, and it has not passed.
“The Family Forum has consistently shown a callous disdain for the lives of children and families affected by bullying and harassment,” said Matthew Patterson, legislative co-coordinator of EQLA. “They have repeatedly supported legislation that would all but provide a ‘license to bully’ as long as the bully could provide a religious justification for their actions, while absolutely opposing any policy based on sound research that could meaningfully prevent bullying in schools. This campaign is to combat that kind of hate and prejudice.”
Running from Tuesday, October 8, through Friday, October 11, the week of action coincides with an important day to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community – National Coming Out Day, celebrated Oct.r 11. Equality Louisiana will ask family, friends, supporters and strangers to take part in the campaign.
Today, the group is asking for questions to be Tweeted at the Louisiana Family Forum about their blockage of anti-bullying bills in both the 2011, 2012, and 2013 legislative sessions.
