Monday marks the beginning of the sixth annual National Ally Week aimed at raising awareness to school-yard bulling and to aid in making schools safer for students, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression.
Ally Week, celebrated in schools nationwide in October 2005, is sponsored by GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, the leading national education organization focused on ensuring safe schools.
Members of GLSEN’s Jump-Start National Student Leadership Team came up with an idea to encourage students to take action against anti-LGBT language, bullying and harassment in America’s schools. The idea turned into the first Ally Week celebrated in schools nationwide in October 2005.
Across the country, students have organized events to raise awareness and within their schools and communities.
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One national event gaining traction is the Purple Shirt Day of Remembrance on Wednesday, Oct. 20.
Students across the nation are planning to wear purple to honor the LGBT youth who have committed suicide in recent weeks due to homophobic abuse in their homes and schools.
The event, organized thru Facebook, encourages student to wear purple as a symbol that they are against homophobia and anti-gay bullying.