The Human Rights of Homosexuals
Editorial
It is a simple, touching and effective way to get others to stop and think about the prejudice they are displaying: Stand up. Say to them simply, "Human rights.''
That is one important technique for combating homophobia, the hatred and fear of homosexual, bisexual and transgendered people. It came from a Somers High School senior who shared the strategy at the region's third annual "Healing the Hurt" conference Monday.
Almost 400 people attended the daylong event in White Plains promoting tolerance.
Somers senior Amy Montilli of that school's human rights club, which organized assemblies on homophobia there, said members came up with a simple warning to anyone being insensitive: "We stood up. If we heard things, we'd say 'human rights.' One teacher, in particular, changed his vocabulary."
Note: That was students, using a nonconfrontational but potent demonstration of free expression, challenging, and changing, the behavior of an adult.
That was among the many strategies shared during 18 workshops on integrating gay people into society's institutions and upholding the dignity of all people, including gay students.
Notably this year, attendance was up dramatically over last year's conference, when 288 people participated. About 150 teens also attended — 100 more than in 2001.
Credit the event to such organizers as Westchester County; Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays; Westchester Jewish Community Services; and The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network-Hudson Valley. They each also have resources and can direct students, families and schools to programs and supports groups on homosexual and human rights issues.
The mission of GLSEN, for example, is to assure that each member of every school community is valued and respected regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. That perhaps has never been more important than today, when name-calling is epidemic in most schools, even at the elementary level.