Countering LGBT Hate with Messages of Love

Have you heard about the You-Are-Loved Chalk Message Project?

It began on one college campus as a way to promote love and acceptance of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students. This year the goal is to spread the message to all high school and college campuses.

Why is an action like this important?

Many institutions and individuals within our culture continue to hold anti-LGBT biases such that growing up LGBT often is a stigmatized and traumatic experience. The impact of homophobia and transphobia is far reaching:

• lesbian, gay and bisexual adolescents attempt suicide at a rate three to six times that of comparably aged heterosexual youth.
• Over a third of students experienced physical harassment at school on the basis of sexual orientation.
• More than a quarter experienced physical harassment on the basis of their gender expression.
• Nearly one-fifth of students had been physically assaulted because of their sexual orientation and over a tenth because of their gender expression.(1)

Read more about the 1st Annual Nationwide You-Are-Loved Chalk Message Project in their own words:

*It’s time to combat the influence of hateful rhetoric that seeks to isolate members of the GLBTQ community. It’s time to remind our community members that they are never alone.******

During the 2005-2006 academic year, students at Drew University began penning inspirational messages in sidewalk chalk that read, “You are loved,” “You are wonderful,” and “You are beautiful.”

These chalk messages quickly became a familiar quirk around Drew’s campus – popping up every Coming Out Week and Day of Silence to remind members of the GLBTQ community that they are loved – and that their love is appreciated.

In April of 2009, a member of Montclair State University’s Spectrums approached one of the original authors of the chalk messages. She asked her if the initiative could be made statewide.

****Why stop at statewide?****

This year, we are asking colleges and high schools everywhere to participate in the chalk message project.

All that is required is a simple piece of sidewalk chalk – and a couple of your own inspirational, positive quotes. Write these quotes all over the grounds of your campus – for everyone to see.

We also highly encourage schools participating to write an opinions piece to your school newspaper explaining the meaning behind the project. Let’s educate society on the need for loving dialogue rather than divisive hate speech.

♥

What: 1st Annual Nationwide You-Are-Loved Chalk Message Project
When: Monday October 5th, 2009
Where: College campuses and high schools everywhere

Kathleen Young, Psy.D.

References:

(1) Results of a 2005 national survey released by GLSEN (the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network)

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