Be A Leader: Lead by example. Refuse to participate in name calling, harassment and bullying. Be inclusive everyday, ensure that ALL people feel welcome and safe to be around you and your friends.
Refuse To Be Silent: When witnessing verbal abuse, your silence can be confused as acceptance of the behavior. Bullying will continue to escalate as long as people remain silent. Speak up and let it be known that the bullies words are not acceptable and will not be tolerated.
Use Your Privilege: When you witness bullying or harassment, you can be silent or you have the privilege to speak up. You have the privilege of speaking up because you do not belong to the group being harassed. Leaders use their privilege!
Speak Against Systemic Discrimination: The laws and policies that are in place today are hostile and non-inclusive to people of differing sexual orientations. These people will always be second class citizens until they have full equality under the law. When they are treated like second class citizens by church and government, it becomes easier for society to treat them with disrespect.
*Contact your elected officials, let them know that the laws need to be changed to include ALL people.
*Speak with your church leaders and remind them that hate is not a family value.
*Contact trade unions and ask them to sponsor, facility and promote anti-harassment, anti-bullying events in your school and community.
Vote With Your Feet: Be aware of where you spend your money. If they do not have anti-discrimination, anti-harassment and equality policies in place, spend your money elsewhere. Let these stores, and companies know that you are spending your money somewhere else until they become pro-active and include ALL people in their policies.
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