Unaccepted Here

What's Your Question?
I always feel unaccepted by everyone at this school. I’ve recently discovered that I’m part of the LGBTQ+ community and am gender non-conforming. I constantly hear homophobes at our school and the word "gay" used as an insult, plus so many slurs. Although there is the Hope Squad, the majority of those people would judge me and are the homophobic people. I am being bullied and no one is going to accept me as I am, and I can’t change who I am. What can I do because I’m stuck in Madison and this town until I’m 18.

Mr. Bobcat:
Dear Unaccepted Here,
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I'm so sorry that you are experiencing bullying in this school. It would be easy to tell you stories about how this happens to all of us in some form and how life will get better, but let's be honest--that's a cop-out. Bullying cannot be tolerated in any form. The fact that it is happening means that we have a lot of work to do. 

Let me start by saying that you have more support than you know. There are many of us that care about you no matter who you are. Sometimes the bullies are so loud that it drowns that rest of us out. The Hope Squad is focusing on bullying for this year's Hope Week. They, like all of us, aren't perfect, but I can tell you that they really do care. I can also tell you that there are members of the Hope Squad that have experienced exactly what you are describing. They understand.

I can also say that there are many teachers and administrators in this school that would be proud to stand with you to stop all bullying. Please tell someone when you hear the slurs. It's only by standing together that we can send the message that it isn't welcome here. Often times, hurt people hurt people. We need to help the bullied and the bully. Let's work together to do that.