Read GLSEN's initial press release about the bullying and suicide here.
Eliza's message to Day of Silence supporters:
I want you to know that I have been in contact with the Walker family regarding the suicide of 11-year-old Carl Walker-Hoover this past Monday. I have extended sincere condolences to the family on behalf of the entire GLSEN network, explained our mission to end bullying and harassment of all students, regardless of sexual orientation and gender expression, and asked for – and received – Carl’s mother’s permission to talk about Carl’s story in the context of the Day of Silence next week. The Day of Silence will fall on what would have been Carl’s 12th birthday. On the most recent call, a family member said, “Even though this event is on Carl’s birthday, we believe it is important that his story be told. Whether or not a student is gay this language should not be used to insult others.” I have expressed to the family GLSEN’s collective resolve to do all in our power to heed his mother’s call to action and ensure that in the future no more students suffer as Carl did.
Eliza
2 comments:
I could not agree more with Eliza that the issue is not whether Carl himself was gay, but rather that no child should ever be victim to such treatment. I am proud to work at ASCD which endorsed the Public Schools and Sexual Orientation process for dialogue along with GLSEN.
I concur with Molly, and cannot thank you enough, Eliza, for your work on all of us, and for talking to Carl's family. He will be at the center of my thoughts, prayers, and activism on the Day of Silence, and thereafter.
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