PFLAG NYC's Safe Schools Program visited the Bronx Academy of Health Careers yesterday and spoke with the 9th and 10th grade students -- about 150 students in all. Diane Coughlin, Florence Shuster, and Raymund Flandez talked with each grade during consecutive programs in the school cafeterium.
Raymund, a young gay man, spoke about his own experiences through school. He knew he was gay, but couldn't talk about it with anyone; he threw himself into his studies to avoid the issue. Raymund told the students that by the time he finished college, he felt so alone that he even called a suicide prevention hotline for LGBT people, the Trevor Project. "I wasn't going to do anything, but I just needed someone to talk to," he told the class. That call led him to PFLAG NYC, where he met parents who loved their gay and lesbian children. Eventually it helped him come out to his own family.
"That boy's impromptu comment was unexpected, rewarding, and made a highlight of our day. I was stunned for a second. I was so happy he came up to the front of the class and talked about how he felt." Raymund Flandez
Raymund Flandez, PFLAG NYC Volunteer Speaker
Florence was one of the first PFLAG mothers that Raymund met, so they were pleased to be speaking together. For Florence, speaking at Bronx Academy of Health Careers was a chance to return to her alma mater -- BAHC is a new school located in the former Evander Childs High School, from which she graduated.
Testifying to a Changed Way of Thinking
A former teacher and busy volunteer, Florence was deeply moved by one young man's words during the discussion. After hearing how not only only lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students, but also the many, many straight students with LGBT loved ones are hurt by homophobic bullying and taunting, one young man raised his hand to speak, walked to the front of the room, and told his classmates, "I didn't think the way I acted would hurt a lot of people. I'm not going to do that anymore."
PFLAG NYC's visit to Bronx Academy of Health Careers came about as part of PFLAG NYC's partnership with the Department of Education during Respect for All Week, which took place March 8 through 12. PFLAG NYC is working with many schools to organize additional Respect for All events through the remainder of the school year.
Read more about the PFLAG NYC Safe Schools Program here or to inquire about a Safe Schools event at your school, call PFLAG NYC at 646-403-3197 or email safeschools@pflagnyc.org.
