In the last two months, there has been a great deal of attention given to the experience of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth after the suicides of several teenagers who were gay or were perceived to be gay. Sadly, the issue hit home in early November when Brandon Bitner, a 14-year-old from Middleburg, took his own life.

According to his friends, he was the victim of anti-gay bullying. Bullying is not new, not only for LGBT youth but for straight kids, too. And schools, to their credit, have given childhood cruelty increased attention in recent years, implementing programs to help students deal with this problem.

The General Assembly had three initiatives before it in the 2009-10 session that would advance equality for the LGBT community, including gay youth, but failed to pass any of them.

This is an op-ed that is out there right now, and the whole article is worth reading.

Here is what you can do-

…about the fact that the PA legislature, no matter who is in charge politically, must decide to take actions that protect all youth from bullying and violence.

1. Call your State Senator and State Representative’s office and request to meet with them to talk about the growing problem of anti-gay bullying. Here is how to find their office phone numbers.
2. Learn about the facts, so that when you speak to your elected official you can help him/her understand the problem better. Use resources to connect to others who can help you know the facts Equality Partners in Western PA, Equality PA across the state, and the ACLU.
3. Meet with your legislator. Get to know him/her, and let them know you. Build a strong working relationship with them and hold them accountable to taking actions and passing legislation that meets the needs you raise and the needs of the community.
4. Write a letter to the editor about the need for anti-gay bullying legislation or other legislative issues that are important to you.
5. Invite your friends and neighbors to do the same.

Many organizations such as those listed in the article as well as those linked above offer training, education and support to assist everyone in getting engaged to make change so that everyone enjoys basic civil rights and lives free from violence, fear, and intimidation. Reach out and use these resources to make a better Pennsylvania for everyone.

Pa. legislators have chance to make an impact on anti-gay bullying | PennLive.com.