June is nationally recognized as LGBT Pride Month. This is a cause of great importance to I Have a Dream Foundation – Los Angeles. We strongly support diversity and anti-bullying education and provide support for our students.

June 2016 will sadly be known for years to come for the Pulse Night Club mass shooting in Orlando, which occurred during Latino night.

Our hearts go out to the families of the victims.

As a call for solidarity, we present here “Different Strokes for Different Folks,” a song sung at the National “I Have a Dream” Foundation Gala Dinner on June 9th.

We promote diversity and tolerance for everyone.

The week of June 12th vigils were held around the world. In Los Angeles, there was a gathering at City Hall where Lady Gaga read off the names of the victims.

“In 2013, about 22 percent of students ages 12–18 reported being bullied at school during the school year.”
source: national center for educational statistics

Kids who are bullied are 3.3 times more more likely to try to commit suicide.
When parents get involved, there is a 25% decrease in bullying.

June is nationally recognized as LGBT Pride / Awareness / Heritage Month. LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) Pride Month, an annual anti-discrimination effort, was made official last year with a proclamation from President Obama. In this proclamation, President Obama stated,

“All people deserve to live with dignity and respect, free from fear and violence, and protected against discrimination, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation. During Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month, we celebrate the proud legacy LGBT individuals have woven into the fabric of our Nation, we honor those who have fought to perfect our Union, and we continue our work to build a society where every child grows up knowing that their country supports them, is proud of them, and has a place for them exactly as they are.”
– “Presidential Proclamation– LGBT Pride Month, 2015” www.whitehouse.gov

Anti-Bullying and LGBT Awareness

Bullying is an unfortunately common aspect of growing up that many kids across America face. “I Have a Dream” Foundation – Los Angeles firmly believes that bullying is wrong, and we actively teach our Dreamers to accept others for who they are and treat other students with the dignity and respect they wish to be treated with. With the rise of the internet and the prominence of cyberbullying, it is becoming more difficult to combat the various forms of bullying that many youth deal with.

The National School Climate Survey conducted by GLSEN in 2011 reported these statistics on bullying (source: www.nobullying.com):

• 82% of LGBT youth had problems during the previous year with bullying about sexual orientation.
• 64% felt unsafe at school due to sexual orientation.
• 44% felt unsafe at school due to gender identification.
• 32% did not go to school for at least one day because of feeling unsafe.

Although youth throughout America deal with bullying and cyberbullying, students who are assumed to be or identify as LGBTQ are targeted more often. In 2005, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN glsen.org) conducted a study that concluded, “appearance was the number one reason for bullying.” The study also found that, “The second most common reason was actual or assumed sexual orientation and gender identity” (source: www.nobullying.com).

We can help promote the acceptance of youth and individuals from all backgrounds and identities by treating others with respect. At IHADLA, we promote positivity and acceptance through our programming, and we are proud to recognize June as LGBTQ Awareness Month!