Stevenson students join national movement, protest bullying against gays

An online, national campaign to combat the bullying of gay teens reached Stevenson High School and other suburban campuses Wednesday as students wore purple to bring attention to the problem.

Junior Ilana Braverman was among the Stevenson students who deliberately donned purple.

“I know friends who are gay and I know people who have been bullied,” the Vernon Hills resident said. “And it's important to recognize it.”

The movement, which built on the Facebook social network, was prompted by the recent suicides of several gay students who reportedly killed themselves because they were bullied. Purple was chosen because it represents spirit on the rainbow-colored gay pride flag.

Events weren't limited to schools. Bars in a predominantly gay neighborhood in Chicago were set to raise money for gay-pride and anti-suicide projects Wednesday night. People across the country were encouraged to participate by wearing purple, too.

Two student organizations at Stevenson High, the Peer Helpers counseling group and the Gay-Straight Alliance, teamed this week to organize Wednesday's demonstration there.

Jennifer Polisky, a Stevenson social worker who is one of the Peer Helpers sponsors, said the idea came from the students she works with.

It coincided with the recent opening of a special Peer Helpers lounge at school, a comfortable room gay students or other teens can go to if they feel they're being bullied or need a safe place to relax.

Polisky said Stevenson officials respond quickly to complaints of bullying, but she's worried about the victims who don't report they're being harassed.

“That's the part that scares me,” she said.

The spread of bullying to the Internet through Facebook, YouTube, and other websites, as well as through e-mail and texting has changed bullying dramatically, Polisky said.

“When I was in high school, if someone wanted to bully me, they had to come to my face and do it,” she said. “But now, from the privacy of their houses, they can write horrible things about people without having to look them in the face.”

Braverman said she's seen some bullying and has heard people who use the word “gay” as an insult, and she knows it can be hurtful.

“It's terrible what's been happening, and we need to stand up and change it,” she said.

Fellow junior Christine Lin wore purple for the cause Wednesday, too.

“I don't think anyone should be bullied at school, especially because of your sexual orientation,” the Long Grove resident said. “If you see your friends doing it, you should do something to stop it.”

Polisky urged parents to monitor their kids' Internet usage as a way to reduce bullying. Kids who are being bullied should report the abuse, too, she said.

“That's our main thing,” Polisky said. “Tell us, and we will help you.”