Page 51 - BEQ Magazine Vol2 Iss4 V2

Tyler Clementi

Continued from PAGE 26

That journey led me to
dedicate my life to advocating for and
healing LGBT and other stigmatized
populations, while ensuring the next
generations are nurtured with dignity
and acceptance. I can’t go back and
change what happened to me, but I
will spend the rest of my life preventing
it from happening to others.
That passion and commitment
is why I became the new executive
director at the Tyler Clementi
Foundation, whose mission is to end
online and offline bullying in schools,
workplaces, and faith communities.
As rampant individualism continues
to permeate our culture, chipping
(From left to right) Anna Marie Gewirtz, State Theatre New Jersey Acting President & CEO; Dave Retchair, Chair of State away at the golden rule to care for
Theatre New Jersey’s LGBTQ Outreach Committee; Laurie Seliger, Co-President of New Jersey’s LGBT Chamber of each other that is the bedrock of
Commerce and member of State Theatre New Jersey’s LGBTQ Outreach Committee; David L . Gonzales , Head of Global so many world faiths, nonprofits
Diversity & Inclusion, Bristol-Myers Squibb; Paul Ashley, Director, Strategic Engagement, Global Procurement, Bristol- like the Tyler Clementi Foundation
Myers Squibb; and State Theatre New Jersey Board Chair Scott Fergang . need the financial, material and
intellectual support of LGBT-led
and -allied businesses to meet the
increased demands on our services.
I join with the Clementi family
and the countless youth and adults
date for Spirit Day. Spirit Day hate and hate being bred in the more young people are beginning helped by our #Day1 bullying
is an international movement to United States, I think that we, the to realize that they fit into this prevention program and other
raise awareness of the bullying LGBTQ community along with different category, and too often services in thanking the small
of the LGBTQ community, allies, we can show them that parents reject them and they and medium businesses, large
specifically the youth, who are love will conquer all. And this film run into difficulties. They run into corporations and LGBT business
disproportionately targeted. exposes the fact that we are just bullying, they run into issues owners across the country who
According to the U.S. like everybody else. It does not about where they can go to the so generously support our work.
Department of Health and matter who you love, love is love.” bathroom, they hear presidents Without you not only helping
Human Services, in 2013, 49 After the screening, the and school boards and others to “keep the lights on” through
percent of LGBTQ students State Theatre hosted a panel criticize them and tell them they your sponsorships and donations,
in grades 6 to 12 experienced discussion with Jan and Diane do not have any rights. I would but also sharing your guidance
cyberbullying, 56.7 percent of DeLap, who are featured in the just like to leave them with the and expertise as members of our
LGBTQ students did not report film, and NGLCC’s Sabrina Kent. message that you can survive all Boards, we would not be able to
their experiences because they The DeLap family discussed the this. Do not give up.” help prevent another parent from
doubted intervention and 61.6 experience of being filmed and “Families Like Yours” losing a child to suicide due to the
percent of LGBTQ students who their hopes for the outcome of premiered in New York City in effects of bullying. Thank you for
did report the bullying said school the documentary. July, presented by Deutsche helping to make our work — and
staff did nothing. DeLap, who transitioned Bank and Hilton. Currently my very personal dream — possible.
Dave Retcher, chair of the in 2001 and has been happily the film is screening around To learn more about how
LGBTQ Outreach Committee married to Jan now for 52 years the country. For information your business can help end online
and Member of the Advisory said, “The thing I want is for about the film and screening and offline bullying in schools,
Board at the State Theatre, transgender people to realize opportunities, visit nglcc.org/ workplaces and faith communities,
said, “With the current culture of that you can survive. More and FamiliesLikeYours.  I invite you to contact me directly
at jason@tylerclementi.org or (646)
470-6081. 

BEQ PRIDE December 2017 | 51