GLBT group revisits high school bullying epidemic

Eight people were in attendance Monday in Ballantine Hall for an information session about Project Homecoming.

The initiative was started by Doug Bauder to encourage those who care about gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender issues to return to their former high schools and grade schools to advocate for more support for students who are struggling with their sexual identities.

Bauder, coordinator of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Student Support Services office, started formulating the idea last September when the office sponsored a speaker from the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, an organization that strives to create a positive atmosphere in schools toward the GLBT community.

“This has not been done before in any organized way,” Bauder said.

Nancy Kalina has started her own life-coaching business and used to be on the IU GLBT Alumni Association Board.

She said bullying has always been an important issue to her and said the whole idea of Project Homecoming just makes sense. She said she hopes to use her business to help gay people come out.

“This is part of my community, my identity,” Kalina said.

Sophomore Allison Foster attended the GLSEN speech last semester and did a story for WIUX radio. She said these activities inspired her to become more involved with GLBT issues. Foster has already been in contact with a guidance counselor at her high school, as well as with the mayor of her hometown. She said she thinks people are scared to take initiative on the issue.

“That is a perfect example of what we want to see happening,” Bauder said. “It’s a great time to care about these issues.”

Bauder said students can encourage their high schools to have panels to persuade students to come back and talk about their experiences, or at least to equip their library with resources.

Bauder and Kathryn Brown, a sexual health educator in the IU Health Center, gave out packets of information that included ideas and resources to help prevent bullying.

Bauder said people should take the time to look at the resources and choose a plan of action that sticks out to them. He said it is imperative people be truthful about who they are.

“The goal is to challenge high schools to do a better job,” Bauder said.
Kim Davis, Kalina’s partner, said she might send the magazine “Teaching Tolerance” to principals of schools in her hometown area, along with a personal note.

“I feel like it’s an important mission to reach out to schools,” Davis said.

Miss IU Brianna McClellan is focusing her platform on the issues of GLBT bullying because she grew up with an older brother who is gay.

“It’s really hard to see someone you admire be brought down to a lower level,” she said.

Bauder said bullying isn’t as prevalent at IU, but he said harassment is still an issue. He also said he is encouraged by improvements he has seen.

Bauder said he was not discouraged by the small number of people who attended the session and that he sees potential in the group.

When he first started working at IU, he said only about 15 GLBT offices existed around the country, and now there are hundreds.

“It’s a cutting-edge issue in higher education,” Bauder said.