15 years after Tyler Clementi's death, vulnerable youth must still be protected

"Fifteen years ago, my son Tyler was an 18-year-old freshman and a gifted violinist who deserved the same dignity and privacy as any other student. Instead, he was targeted, humiliated and shamed online. In that desperate and lonely moment Tyler made a permanent decision to a temporary situation. On September 22, 2010, Tyler died by suicide. Out of our grief, we started the Tyler Clementi Foundation to end online and offline bullying in schools, workplaces, and faith communities."

"Bullying is not just a playground problem. It can be larger than just two youth interacting on the playground, or even people in the cyber world, it can also be systemic; embedded in policies, norms, within institutions that license cruelty, excuse harassment, or treat LGBTQ+ young people, like Tyler, as less worthy of protection. When institutions look the other way, bullying multiplies."

"Since Tyler's passing, there has been real progress. Many schools now have stronger anti-bullying policies. More parents tell their children what I wish every child could hear: you are perfectly made, and you are loved exactly as you are. In workplaces, more leaders understand that dignity is a standard, not a favor. In some faith communities, courageous clergy are preaching, what I believe to my core, that you can be a person of faith and affirm LGBTQ+ people. Those changes have saved lives."

An 18-year-old student, targeted and humiliated online, died by suicide after sustained cyberbullying. The Tyler Clementi Foundation was established to end online and offline bullying across schools, workplaces, and faith communities. Bullying is often systemic, embedded in policies and institutional norms that permit cruelty or excuse harassment toward LGBTQ+ young people. Some progress has occurred: stronger school anti-bullying policies, more parents affirming children, workplace commitments to dignity, and faith leaders affirming LGBTQ+ inclusion. Despite gains, bullying and online cruelty are rising again, and policy efforts increasingly target transgender youth through bans and restrictions, endangering safety and dignity.

Read at Advocate.com