Male students shouldn’t have to put up with gay bashing and bullying for choosing the sport of cheerleading. But tragically too many do, and sometimes they’re punished when they try to fight back.
BB, 13, from a Kentucky middle school, however, is taking his fight to court. After being repeatedly threatened and harassed, BB was forced to move to another school that doesn’t have a cheerleading team. So with the help of his mother, BB has filed for a protection order in Jefferson County Court, insisting BB get the proper protection so he can return to his school and cheerleading.
Even though the school district says it’s done all it can to protect BB, it’s not enough if BB has to risk bodily harm from his fellow students in order to participate in the sport he loves.
Tell Jefferson County to protect male cheerleaders from gay bashing and bullying.
We, the undersigned, believe BB’s school should take gay bashing and bullying more seriously.
Only a few months ago, another 13-year-old cheerleader took his own life after his school suspended him for punching one of the bullies who’d attacked him. Two years earlier, another teen suicide was linked to bullying and male cheerleading . And in 2010 11-year-old Tyler Wilson and his mom made national news when he refused to give up his sport after bullies beat him up and broke his arm
As tough a challenge as this problem is for schools, it is much too serious for them to take any approach other than one that puts an end to this bullying and gay bashing.
We insist Jefferson County do whatever it takes to keeps students like BB safe and protected.
Thanks for your time.
