Today is the 12th anniversary of the death of Matthew Shepard, young gay man who belonged to the Episcopal Church in Wyoming. His mother speaks out on CBS News about the current deaths by suicide of victims of bullying.
What do you think needs to be done? What are you doing to combat bullying and violence against those who differ?
A suggestion for action:
In the aftermath of reports about the devastating impact of bullying and harassment on LGBTQ young people, and the death of Tyler Clementi and other young gay men, we’ve started a campaign to encourage everyone — LGBTQ people and allies — to write a letter to the principal at the high school you attended or your local high school — even if you graduated 30 years ago — expressing your support for LGBTQ youth and asking the principal to tell you what she or he is doing to protect the dignity of every human being in their school. You can read some letters to principals at here
A litany for all our children below:
A complete prayer service for today can be found here
A Litany for children who have died from bullying
–by Kirkepiscatoid
O God of justice and mercy, we pray that no more daughters and sons in this world die as the result of bullying simply because of who they are; be it race, religion, sexual orientation, or social awkwardness.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
That our schools become places of nurturing and hope rather than shame and derision.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
That our teachers instill values of charity and acceptance in all children so there is no need for one child to feel superior over another.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
That parents can put aside what they were sometimes taught, in order to promote tolerance and diversity at home.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
That our communities support children who feel “different from the others” and show them lives that are theirs to claim, lives they cannot begin to imagine to see at home. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
That all children can grow up feeling self-empowered and truly loved simply as themselves, and not suffer beatings and psychological abuse at home or school.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
O Lord, you understand this above all others, for your only Son hung among thieves on a rough wooden cross on a barren hill, just as Matthew Shepard hung from a rail fence on a lonely road. Be our light in the darkness, Lord; protect our children and fill them with the love of your Holy Spirit; hold them in your Son’s loving arms in their most fearful hours, and be with them always.
Amen.
Dr. Maria Evans is a physician and blogger in the Diocese of Missouri
And a message from The Rev. Canon Susan Russell, All Saints, Pasadena, CA