Students observe Ally Week and pledge
      to stop bullying

October 19, 2010

“Everyone should be treated equally and fairly, no matter what their differences are.”

So said Ashley Horning, a Mayfield High School senior, and founding member of the Mayfield Gay Straight Alliance (GSA), which helped organize the district’s Ally Week events this week.

Now in its sixth year, the nationally observed Ally Week encourages students around the country to organize events aimed at identifying and supporting allies who are willing to help stop bullying, harassment, and negative language aimed at people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual and/or transgender.

For the first time, Mayfield High School planned events for each day of Ally Week. Some students adorned the school with posters advertising the events, and on Monday, students signed a pledge to:

•  Not use anti-LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) language or slurs.

• Intervene, if they safely can, in situations where students are being harassed.

•  Support efforts to end bullying and harassment.

This spring, Horning and other students helped form the GSA (which now has about 15 members) after the Student Council made a presentation to the Board of Education. Last year, the students observed a day of silence during Ally Week as a symbolic gesture for classmates who are gay and lesbian.

High School Principal Robert Husain said the focus of the GSA is to eliminate not just discrimination, but bullying in all forms. He said there have been some incidents of bullying and some misunderstandings.

“My role has been one of supporting this group, but also one who wants to clearly communicate that the goals of the program aren’t just about sexual preference,” he said. “We went to send a message that everyone is loved, and no one should be bullied.”

On Tuesday morning, students wrote messages of support such as “peace and pride,” and “don’t be afraid to be yourself,” in chalk outside the library’s entrance. Wednesday, students in the school and around the country planned to wear purple to honor the children who’ve committed suicide in recent weeks due to homophobic abuse.

Ally Week is sponsored by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), a national education organization focused on ensuring safe schools. Mayfield school counselor Jennifer Sponnoble said Ally Week is as much about educating people about the issues of bullying and discrimination as it is about promoting safety.

“It’s for all the kids who might be bullied,” she said. We want them to know there are allies around them to support them and help create a more safe school environment.”

For more information, go to the Ally Week Web site.

You can see more pictures of Ally Week. [SEE MORE]