Anti-bullying advocates from around the region will converge this weekend at William Way LGBT Community Center to build community and raise awareness about resources.
Fifty Shades of Purple will host its second-annual Families Against Bullying from 1-4 p.m. May 13 at the center, 1315 Spruce St. The event seeks to unite people working to curb bullying both in and outside of the classroom.
“Bullying behavior doesn’t stop when you turn 18,” said FSP founder and board president Jazz Gray-Sadler. “Unfortunately, the federal government defines bullying as happening with children, but adults can continue bullying in higher learning and in the workplace, so we’re working very actively to change that national definition of bullying to include adults.”
As such, this weekend’s event is geared toward people of all ages. Resources will be available for individuals who are confronting bullying, and there will be ample opportunities to build social networks.
“There is a desire for community,” said FSP Executive Director Marchee Briant. “Families that have experienced bullying and tried to maneuver their way through the system need to know that there are people who have been in the same boat; they can gain strength and insight from folks who have managed that process.”
That process hits home for Gray-Sadler, whose son faced intense bullying from the ages of 7-10 in the Philadelphia public schools.
“There’s nothing more traumatic for a parent than getting a phone call during the day from a school administrator that starts with, ‘I’m calling about your son or daughter,’” Gray-Sadler said. “I got that phone call. Since that time, I met a lot of other parents who shared that pain and shared their stories. And unfortunately, nothing has changed in the more-than a decade since I got that dreaded call. Things that didn’t work 10 years ago still aren’t working today.”
One of the most common reprimands for bullies is a suspension, which Gray-Sadler noted many kinds look at as a “two- or three-day vacation.” And administrators and counselors often feel polarized by a system without clear supports to remedy bullying.
Many of these ideas arose during FSP’s initial community-awareness day last spring, which motivated organizers to theme this year’s event on family.
“We want to fill gaps,” Gray-Sadler said, “looking at how we can address bullying through accountability for parents, for administrators, for those responsible for these behaviors, as well as putting in place programs to prevent it.”
Collaboration will be key to that goal, Briant noted.
“People are going to have the opportunity to say, ‘Hey, we have children the same age and this is what we’re going through and what we’ve faced,’ and hopefully that connection will go past the event,” Briant said.
The event itself will feature celebrity ambassadors recording artist Aaron Paul and trans activist and entertainer Carl Max, who will share their own stories of overcoming bullying. Music will be provided by vocalist Dena Underwood and DJ Kathy Gibson. There will also be raffles, food and games.
It is also an opportunity for people to learn about and get involved with the work of FSP. While FSP does not exclusively focus on LGBT bullying, Gray-Sadler noted that more than 65 percent of victims of youth bullying identify as LGBT.
Quickly connecting people affected by bullying with tangible assistance has been a priority for the organization.
“On our website, you can get help in both English and Spanish, with resources for schools, communities and in the workplace, all in just two clicks,” Gray-Sadler said. “So many people don’t know where to go for resources on bullying, so our goal is that no one should have to go more than just two clicks to get help.”
Tickets to the event, which support FSP’s work, are $25. For more information or tickets, visit www.fspagainstbullying.org/events.html.