Abe Louise Young
The Houston Transgender Center (604 Pacific) hosts author Abe Louise Young this Saturday, November 12, from 1 to 3 pm. Last fall, after the epidemic of LGBT youth suicides garnered national attention, Young was commissioned by nonprofit organization What Kids Can Do to interview youth around the country about their school experiences, and their visions of concrete ways that schools can change in order to protect them. The result is the guide Queer Youth Advice for Educators: How to Respect and Protect Your Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Students.
This guide tells the poignant stories of the discrimination faced by the children interviewed by Young, and highlights solutions to the bullying crisis that the youth themselves envision. Youth from around the U.S. detail in this moving short book how they are treated in the classroom and the schoolyard, and describe the strategies educators can use to help them stay safe. It’s not being LGBT that causes the problems, these young people say. The problems are the outcome of intolerant actions and speech by peers, parents, teachers, clergy, and strangers. Bullying is a symptom of the culture.
In addition to a reading from the book, attendees will be taught practical tools for defeating bullying in their own communities and schools.
