Urge Your Legislator to Support Anti-Bullying Legislation

In 2008, the Senate passed anti-bullying legislation by a vote of 54-0. A House Education Sub-committee and the full House Education Committee also passed this legislation by unanimous vote. Unfortunately, a floor vote on the bill did not take place by the end of the 2008 Session. Ask your legislator to support the passage of anti-bullying legislation in 2010. Tell me more

Talking Points

- 78% of youth report that gay and lesbian youth are teased or bullied in their schools and communities (National Mental Health Association).
- 93% of youth hear other youth at school or in their neighborhood use words like "fag," "homo," "dyke," "queer," or "gay" at least once in a while, with 51% hearing them every day (National Mental Health Association).

Subject:

Dear [ Decision Maker ],

(Edit Letter Below)

In 2008, the Senate passed anti-bullying legislation by a vote of 54-0.  A House Education Sub-committee and the full House Education Committee also passed this legislation by unanimous vote.  Unfortunately, a floor vote on the bill did not take place by the end of the 2008 Session.

As a Georgia voter and a citizen concerned about safe public schools, in 2010 I urge you to pass legislation to protect students who are bullied or harrassed because of their perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.

Please remember 11-year-olds Jaheem Herrera of Stone Mountain, Ga., and Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover of Springfield, Mass.  Both committed suicide in 2009 - they were constantly bullied because they were perceived to be gay.

Safe schools are necessary to achieve safety and educational excellence.  Students who are bullied often develop high levels of fear and stress, which negatively impacts schoolwork,attendance and grades.  In addition, bullying creates an atmosphere where all students may feel unsafe, negatively impacting academic performance on a larger scale.

Please support legislation to toughen Georgia's anti-bullying law and ensure safe schools with high levels of educational excellence.  Georgians are looking to you for leadership on this issue.

Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your address]

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