In preparation for its first Chicago Pride Parade, United Pride—a mostly internal subdivision of the United Way that deals with LGBT rights—hosted an expert panel discussion about heterosexist and racist bullying in Chicago Public Schools.
The event was held at the United Way of Metro Chicago's downtown office June 10, and featured a diverse group of panelists, including students, teachers, parents and the director of security for Chicago Public Schools, Michael Shields. Shannon Sullivan, a former teacher at Roberto Clemente High School and current organizer for the Illinois Safe School Alliance, moderated the discussion.
"United Pride is mostly and internal organization right now," said Brian Williams of the United Way. "But we are trying to become more external with events such as this."
The panel discussion was not limited to discrimination against LGBT students, but was open to any questions about violence and bullying within the Chicago Public School system. Topics such as racism, new media bullying and gang violence were also heavily discussed.
"I thought as a veteran police officer I had seen everything," Shields said. "But when I became the director of security for Chicago Public Schools I realized I hadn't. I'm glad I was invited to this panel, it's through these kinds of discussions that we can improve the system."
Along with the panelists, representatives from nonprofit organizations, concerned parent boards and even the LGBT community liaison for Motorola turned-up to partake in the discussion.
In spite of much back-and-forth, people did not agree upon a concrete action plan to combat the growing violence in Chicago Public Schools. However, moderator Shannon Sullivan stated that the panel discussion was just one step in solving the problem and that the purpose of the event was not to come up with a plan of action, but to listen to the students' testimonies and opinions.
"We don't listen to the students enough," said Sullivan. "They have to live through this everyday and should have a chance to explain what they are going through."
United Pride launched September 2009, making the panel discussion on bullying one of the first public events the organization has hosted. Brian Williams, who is one of the organizers for United Pride, stated that more public events that involved discussing aspects of the LGBT community will be scheduled in the near future.
"Eventually, the goal is to have at least one public event a month," said Williams. "The next subject we want to focus on is LGBT seniors."
United Pride will also be marching in the Chicago Pride Parade for the first time in its history, and is calling on other disadvantaged groups and allied organizations to march with them.
For more information on United Pride visit the United Way of Metro Chicago's website at www.uw-mc.org .
