News
Stop bullying! Let’s support LGBTIQ Youth in the Caribbean
Learn more about Spirit Day and why LGBTIQ Lesbian gay bisexual transgender transsexual transvestite intersex and queer youth need societys support One night in the fall of 2010 Tyler Clementi 18 years old stepped out of his room in Rutgers University New Jersey headed for the George Washington Bridge jumped from it and lost his life The previous day his roommate had used a webcamera to spy on him while Tyler was in his room with another man and publish the images in a social network violating his right to privacy and encouraging other people to see the content The very same month of Tylers death four other young Americans committed suicide after being mocked for being gay Spirit Day was born from these tragedies funded that same year by secondary student Brittany McMillan to promote awareness acceptance and love towards LGBTIQ youth This commemoration grew over the years and today the United Nations in Dominican Republic alongside people and allies to the LGBTIQ Youth stand in solidarity with the StopBullying campaign in which different artists government authorities ambassadors international bodies representatives LGBTIQ activists feminists journalists and young people among others invite the Dominican society to put an end to homophobic and transphobic bullying raising their voices against discrimination and taking a stand to preserve the rights of LGBTIQ people Homophobic and transphobic bullying is a specific type of school violence directed towards people on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity either perceived or real This type of bullying can include mocking spreading rumors humiliation pushing insulting beating stealing or destroying belongings exclusion from groups online bullying sexual aggression or even death threats