LAUSD, LA Gay & Lesbian Center Join Forces To Stop Bullying
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — The Los Angeles Unified School District and the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center joined forces Wednesday to stop bullying in the classroom.
Project SPIN, or Suicide Prevention Intervention Now, was created by the two groups because statistics showed LGBT students were more likely to contemplate suicide as a result of harassment.
The program brings together 20 different groups of people to work with children who are bullied and those who actually do the bullying.
"All of our kids deserve to be safe in our schools no matter how different they may be," said Lorri Jean from the Gay & Lesbian Center. "Our goal is to create an environment where LGBT students never even think about suicide."
Junior Elliott Sitz said he was harassed so much in middle school that he didn't even want to leave his house.
"There was a lot of name calling, some death threats. Some teachers putting on movies that were offense to gay people…(and I was) being hit by students," he said.
Sitz said he was able to overcome his hardships because of his supportive parents and the Gay & Lesbian Center, which helped him start the Gay-Straight Alliance at his school.
"It's supposed to inform LGBT people and let them know there's a safe place for them," he said.
On Friday, people are encouraged to wear purple to take a stand against bullying for National Spirit Day.
