Whether you’re calling someone gay, or teasing [...]]]> Today is October 20, 2010. It is the day people have claimed as spirit day, to come together, unite, and stand against bullying. I believe it is specifically designed to support the stop of homophobic and transphobic bullying, but really, let’s be honest. All bullying needs to stop.

Whether you’re calling someone gay, or teasing someone about pronouns, or stuffing freshmen in trashcans, or being racist, or playing practical jokes, or emotionally, mentally or physically hurting someone, it’s not ok. Period.

We get in a cycle. We were bullied, so it therefore, SOMEHOW makes it ok for us to bully others. I heard it all the time in high school; they threw eggs at us, so we should throw eggs at next year’s freshmen.

No. Stop it. NO ONE, and I mean NO ONE should have to endure bullying. Not at any age, not for any reason. Period.

So stop policing people’s gender. Stop making fun of people for how they present themselves. Stop trying to out people. Stop making fun of people’s heights, weights, hair, race, age, gender, orientation, ability levels, class level, you name it. Why the hell would you do that? Is it because you’re afraid that if you don’t bully others, someone will bully you?

We need to stop bullying period, whether it is words, or physical actions, or cyber bullying, or stupid pranks played on people. This affects far more than just the LGBTQ community, although that is currently at the forefront. This affects all teens and young adults; all youth can be and usually are negatively affected by bullying, whether they are the ones doing it, or the ones being bullied. We need to protect the youth we have, help to create safer spaces for them to learn and grown.

The make it better project is one step. Let’s empower youth to create change in their own communities. Let’s give options to get out aggression other than hurting people. Let’s create communities of varied identities where people can share themselves, and feel safe with their peers.

Let’s ASK THE YOUTH. As adults, we can come in with all sorts of fancy schmancy “answers” to these situations, but honestly, kids, teens and young adults know what they need more than we do. They know what’s going on, what needs to happen, what needs to stop, what spaces need to be created. So let’s ask them what they need, and how we can help, and then help them,

I’m wearing purple today, not because I love Gogol Bordello (although I do). I’m wearing purple today in remembrance of all those over the years for whom bullying has pushed over the edge. For all those who have been hurt, directly and indirectly, by bullying. But I am also wearing purple today to encourage the creation of change, in looking towards the future. Without change, we are nothing.

Are you wearing purple? And what are you going to do to back up your statement?

-Shanna

Spirit Day 2010

This post, Start Wearing Purple, originally appeared on Shanna Katz M.Ed, ACS -- Board Certified Sexologist and Sexuality Educator on October 20, 2010.

I am fairly new to Arizona, having moved here this past fall with my partner from Colorado.

The day SB1070 passed and was signed was the day we thought we’d made a mistake about moving here. It is shameful to us to be living in a state that so blatantly perpetuates racism and [...]]]> Dear Mayor,

I am fairly new to Arizona, having moved here this past fall with my partner from Colorado.

The day SB1070 passed and was signed was the day we thought we’d made a mistake about moving here. It is shameful to us to be living in a state that so blatantly perpetuates racism and racial profiling. Immigration may in fact be an issue here, but as I’m sure you know, this bill does nothing but legalize hatred, and give cart blanche to individual officers to discriminate as they will. I’m afraid that it will spread not only racism, but also include homophobia and transphobia, as those following this law make those who do not fit into society’s gender standards show their documentation, and begin to pull over cars with HRC stickers and rainbows. I am not prepared to carry around my birth certificate and/or passport with me at all times; no one should have to do this.

I have hope in you, sir, that you will do the right thing and begin the steps to create a discrimination and inequality suit that will get this law declared unconstitutional. I have hope that you will make us change our mind about this state, show us that there are people will to stand up for right, for equality, for human rights.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me about this issue, and I look forward to seeing you stand up for justice for all,

Shanna

Note:  Discussion that is respectful is appreciate.  Any and all rude and hateful comments will be deleted.

This post, A Letter to Mayor Phil Gordon, originally appeared on Shanna Katz M.Ed, ACS -- Board Certified Sexologist and Sexuality Educator on April 28, 2010.