I always knew I was different. I was always told so. My name is O’Neal Leon Wyche, Jr., and I’m a Champion Against Bullying. ​​

I grew up in a small town in South Georgia where everyone knew each other and their secrets. I was fortunate to have a loving mother and supportive stepfather, a safe home and food to eat. I had clean clothes on my back everyday, but they weren’t the right clothes. On picture day in the 2nd grade, my mother outfitted me in a dress shirt, trousers and a tie.

As I walked into the school, the majority of the other kids were dressed in regular casual clothing —T-shirts, jeans, sneakers. This wasn’t the first picture day that I’d worn dressier clothing to school, but it was the first time I’d notice the unusual stares from kids in the hallways. As soon as I stepped into my class, a few of my classmates, particularly three boys, burst out laughing. They’d made fun of me before, and today was no different.
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​“Nice tie, O’Neal,” James said, barely able to contain his laughter. “You’re so corny!”
His words punched me in the gut, and I was terrified. That terror and feeling unsafe through teasing, taunting followed me for the next nine years of my life—though this was only the prelude for things to come. James would mock me and say mean things in class and at recess. In retrospect, I understand it now, but when you’re seven years old you don’t really understand why someone is being so mean to you.
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As a child of Jehovah’s Witnesses growing up in the South, I didn’t know that having more feminine mannerisms and my religious beliefs would be the reason why I was bullied. But as I grew up, I was reminded of these differences constantly. As we went through each grade, James, John and Derrick bullying increased and got more intense. His aggression toward me led other students to tease me too, at his daring.
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One particular day in Physical Education, he convinced a girl who would often get sent to the principal’s office for causing havoc in class to pick on me. She cornered me in the back of the gym and kept pushing me saying,
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“What you gonna do? I dare you to push me back.”
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While this was happening James and his friends were laughing in the background. None of the other students did anything, and I was afraid that if I did push her back we would both get in trouble—something I always feared as a kid. She then proceeded to grab my neck and choked me up against the wall. All the while, she was laughing and saying, “Do something.” Eventually the coach saw what was happening and broke up the huddle, but I knew that I lost. And this would only make the way I was treated worse now that a girl had humiliated me.
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The environment at school became so bad that I would consistently return home crying, and I woke up in the morning not wanting to face another day of name-calling, hurt feelings or a possible ambush by other kids. I decided to share the details of what was happening at school with my mother. She told me that she understood, that these things happened all the time. She encouraged me to be strong and not let their words get to me—as hard as it was to internalize. My mother always told me that I was a very intuitive kid, which was a blessing and a curse. And while I knew her advice came from a good place, I could predict the results of her counsel. And as much as I tried to swallow my pain, when James and the other students would bully me, I couldn’t contain my shame.
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My grandmother was a paraprofessional at my elementary school, so I began confiding in her. This was one of the smartest things I did—to a point. My grandmother spoke with my teacher and principal, and collectively they all began noticing each interaction I had with other students. And while this minimized the bullying in the class, it continued outside of the classroom.

​When I was in the 4th grade, the teasing from the same group of boys became verbal. I would hear outbursts in class:

“Why are your clothes so tight?”
“You act like a girl.”​
“Look at the way you hold your hand and walk.”
“You’re a sissy.”
“I saw you knocking on doors with those Jehovah’s Witnesses.”
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I was a very timid and soft-spoken little boy: the kid that sat in the front of the class with his homework completed. I never wanted to get in trouble, so I never said anything back to the bullies. My sister Rosalyn, however, was the complete opposite. She has always been a strong outspoken person that didn’t care what anyone had to say about her. We’re 11 months apart in age, and we always went to the same school together. I always knew she was just down the hall in class, and I would see her at lunch or at recess. I began telling Rosalyn about the boys that were teasing me. “No, O’Neal,” she said to me after I told her what they’d been saying to me. “Nobody is going to treat you like that.” And she fearlessly approached them the next day after school.

While waiting to be picked up by our grandmother next to the big oak tree in front of the school, one of the boys came over teasing and pushing me around. Immediately, my sister grabbed him by the neck and pushed him up against the tree.

She tackled him to the ground as she screamed out, “Don’t bother my brother again!”
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At that moment one of the teachers on outside duty saw what was happening and ran over to us to break up the fight. My grandmother also arrived and yelled out of the car window, “Rosalyn! Get off that boy and get in the car!” Although I was happy about what she did, it only made things worse. Her teacher scorned her the next day, and was sent home with a citation. Worse, I had allowed Rosalyn to fight my battles and had become more of a coward in the bullies’ eyes. The teasing continued to escalate.
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As years went by, the bullying continued until it became my normal. As a freshman in high school, I realized that regardless of what my mother, grandmother or sister did, I was alone and I had to handle it by myself.
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The first thing I had to do was question why these things were happening. I wanted to understand what the boys bullying me did. Through their eyes I started to analyze the way I walked, spoke and dressed. I realized the way I walked was lighter than the football players headed into the locker room. The way I talked was softer than the other boys who raised their hands in class. The way I dressed was more precise, too, like I was trying to express something. I saw what they did, suddenly, and it frightened me. This was the time when I was supposed to be a man, chase after girls, assert my strengths and rise up like the other boys. But the path, for me, was not as clear.
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Even at home I was afraid to communicate this fear. Surely my mother, a religious, God-fearing woman would have taken my worries as reason to fear what kind of man I was. Maybe she’d even question my sexuality. The act of telling my family would have transformed the long-standing bullying into a conversation my family was not ready to have. So, just as my mother had told me, I kept it all inside: a secret from everyone including my sister. I was not only confused and hurt, but afraid of what would happen.
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Things began to turn around, however, once I realized I was not alone.
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During that year, one weekend in 1999, I watched a film called Cruel Intentions, which involved two vicious, wealthy siblings at an elite Manhattan prep school making a horrible wager to seduce a fellow student without falling in love. The brother, Sebastian, was a stylish, young guy that had everything and could have any girl he wanted, except for Annette, the object of the bet. Of course, he ultimately falls in love with her and changes his way—but it’s too late. And while some might write “Cruel Intentions” off as just another 90’s teen movie, Sebastian inspired me in two incredible ways: by finally identifying the root of his participation in bullying, and seeing someone change to embrace what they feel in their heart. His bullying came from insecurity just as strong as my own. And when he embraced connection with another person over how he was perceived by others, he showed his true capacity for love. He was an authentic human being with his emotions and also the way in which he expressed himself, which ultimately changed the way I thought about myself. I realized that if it came from a place of truth and expression, I could be whoever I wanted, wear what I wanted and do what makes me happy. And I saw the kids who bullied me as being just as insecure as I was and able to change.
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With this new resolve, I immediately began the transformation process in stepping into my true authenticity.
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I stopped dressing to fit in and started wearing clothing that I felt comfortable to me. Surprisingly, they happened to be dressier clothing—the clothing that had precipitated the bullying. The first day of junior year, I walked up to the high school in my new threads and a new attitude. I was confident waiting with all the other students for the bell to ring. I knew that I would get uncomfortable stares and teasing. I was a bit nervous, but I refused to falter. For the first time in my life, I truly embraced my uniqueness, not letting my worries get in the way of my liberation.​
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It was the first time I felt alive and my true self.

This realization also shifted my focus to my future—which included experimenting with new clothing and personal style, creating art, being the only guy that actually enjoyed sitting in Home Economics. I even started a school dance crew that went on to win 1st place in a local talent show. I chose to change what was happening to me by embracing myself and putting my desires before anything else. I ignored the bullying and it eventually became silent noise.

As I learned more about individuals who are bullied and why students bully other students, I learned that those young boys were facing a terrible home life and were bullied by their parents and older siblings. Yearning for life’s necessities such as a safe, clean home. All things I was blessed with. I understand now and hope nothing but the best for them. This experience has truly helped mold me into the man I am today.

Special thanks to Shane Lukas, Stephen Jordan and Noah Ballard for the push and help with bringing this story into fruition.

How do you define bullying?
Bullying is repeated, unwanted aggressive behavior. I think that bullying is also in the eyes of the victim. If you feel that someone is being a bully to you, even if they claim to be ‘only kidding,’ then that could be considered bullying. It’s time we take the power away from the bully and put it into the hands of the victims.

What do you think is the scariest thing about being bullied?
I would say the scariest thing about being bullied is feeling absolutely helpless, that there is no where to turn for help—no way to get away from it.

What resources do you think a person should have available to respond to bullying?
I feel that having a support group of like-minded individuals that have experienced bullying and can relate to others’ experiences is very important. Individuals like this need a space without fear of ridicule or judgement.

How do you think the community can help if someone is being bullied?
Stand up for them! In most cases, if a bystander gets involved or speaks out, bullying will stop within seconds!

What does respect mean to you?
Respect to me is letting you be you and me be me and not judging someone by stereotypes or differences.

If you could do one thing to stop all bullying, what would you do?
I am doing it! I travel extensively whenever I am invited to speak to schools and communities, raising awareness to the very real and devastating effects of bullying.

If you could say one thing to anyone who is the victim of bullying, what would it be?
Stay strong. We love you and are fighting for you! This WILL pass. It WILL get better.

What role do you think the internet plays in bullying?
I think the internet has increased the ease that people can bully each other. Now, we don’t have to face someone to ruin their life. We can do it while hidden behind a monitor or cellphone screen without fear of immediate repercussions.

How are you an Upstander?
I work very hard to support victims of bullying and give them the resources and tools to find out that they are someone important and that they DO belong. We have chapters of Stand For the Silent started now in 39 states and 18 countries to help do this and give the victims a place to belong and find support.

Do you think someone who bullies other can change?
I have no doubt in my mind that bullies can change. I receive hundreds of messages from kids that have heard us speak saying, “I never knew that what I was doing could cause what happened to your son. I am sorry, I will quit and I want to help you make it stop.”

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Kirk Smalley is an anti-bullying advocate that is passionate about stopping bullying and youth suicide. He and his wife have experienced the devastation that bullying can and does cause and have dedicated their lives to making sure that no other family lives our nightmare. Follow Kirk Smalley and Stand For the Silent on Facebook and Twitter.

“We shall sodomize your sons” read California Representative William Dannemeyer to the US Congress on July 27, 1987. “We will stab you in your cowardly hearts and defile your dead, puny bodies … We shall conquer the world …” Dannemeyer was reading from the hidden agenda he discovered in a gay periodical. The article by Michael Swift was entitled “Gay Revolutionary.” What Dannemeyer failed to communicate in his attempt to expose the vileness of homosexuality, however, was that Swift’s article was actually an absurdist satirical piece, not a serious manifesto. But Dannemeyer’s damage was now done. 


Such political vitriol has dangerous effects. Coining the oft used phrase “gay agenda” that was used to spread fallacies about the LGBT community for decades to come, Dannemeyer’s speech provided many Americans the justification they sought to fight back the (non-existent) “gay revolutionaries” attacking the country. There’s no wonder the LGBT community faces substantially higher rates of bullying, suicide, and in 2014 became the target of more hate crimes than any other minority group in America.


Creating narratives is no doubt an important tool in American politics. Some narratives are founded in reality while others are fictionalized. As an artist and writer, one of my most cherished pursuits is truth. It may seem ironic that a writer like me utilizes fiction to pursue truth, but the difference between my narrative and Dannemeyer’s is that my fiction is used to help share the beauty of reality.


I am developing a musical I’ve written called Question 1. At its core, the show explores the tragic effects of bullying, particularly the brutal cycle of the oppressed all too often becoming the oppressor. The audience follows the devolution of Freddy, a bullied child turned self-loathing adolescent turned closeted politician. When he finds himself amidst Maine’s 2009 same-sex marriage debate, his acrimoniousness towards the LGBT community capitalizes on the us-vs-them tactic we see all too often in today’s politics. Never did I imagine the absurdist satire I began writing in my musical two years ago would somehow manifest itself into today’s actual headlines. 


Perhaps there’s irony in Teddy Roosevelt’s coining of the phrase “bully pulpit” which was originally based on the obsolete definition of “bully,” meaning “good, first-rate, or wonderful.” Despite today’s discordantly disparate definition of the word “bully,” Roosevelt’s phrase ironically captures the drastically different, yet accurate style in which political positions of authority (or nominees to such positions) use their power to spread their message today. In fact, a new poll commissioned by the Tyler Clementi Foundation found that:


53% of the more than 1400 registered voters questioned said “yes” when asked if they “believe the polarizing language being used in this presidential election is spilling over to young people and creating more meanness.”


A political cynic might dwell on the dismal devolution of the bully pulpit’s etymological connotation, but the truth is that if a meaning has changed once, it can change again. It is up to upstanders, whether they be individuals or organizations like TCF, to say that the days of bullying must come to an end. It is up to us to challenge ourselves and humanity to rise above contempt in all its forms–to strive for the most beautiful thoughts and selves possible. If you want to write a musical about it, then go for it! If spontaneously bursting into song isn’t your thing, no worries! Go volunteer, offer support, respectfully meet hateful speech with beautiful wisdom, and if you’ve not already done so, buy your ticket to the TCF Upstander Legacy Celebration right now! 


And on November 8th, spread messages of respect, not contempt. With your help, we can share the narrative of truth, beauty, and kindness eliminating hate. With your help, perhaps we can return the meaning of America’s bully pulpit back to Roosevelt’s “wonderful pulpit.”

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Chris Reza is a writer, Broadway musician (Fun Home), and a proud supporter of the Tyler Clement Foundation. For more information, visit his site, learn about Question 1, or follow him on Facebook and Twitter.

Photographs of Chris Reza by Kevin Chavez

When I was a teen, I would have been mortified to admit I was being bullied. My junior high and high school years were the worst time of my life. As a poor kid at the rich kids’ school in a small town, I was targeted for not having the same experiences as everyone else: for not wearing the right jeans, for living in an apartment instead of a huge house, for being a science nerd, for sucking at gym…really, just for being different. I was embarrassed by all the ways I didn’t fit in.

I am not embarrassed anymore. Because I have turned the negative experiences of my past into something positive.

After I left for college, I realized that the kids who were different in high school would become the grownups who change the world. You have to stand out—be outstanding—if you want to make a difference. I couldn’t believe I’d wasted so much time wishing I had fit in with a bunch of people I would never have to see again for the rest of my life. Out in the real world, I was surrounded by hundreds of accepting people who rocked their unique qualities. And I was finally one of them.

What made me keep holding on through my horrible teen years was the hope that one day I would be living my dream life. All of the bullying I endured has manifested in strength, insight, and my purpose in life: To reach out to teens and help them feel less alone. By writing teen novels like Keep Holding On, I can hopefully connect with teens who are feeling desperate. I know what it’s like to feel like you’ll never be happy again, that giving up would be a relief. On your worst days when you can’t even stand to be in your own skin, please know that you can create the life you want to be living. You can find your place to belong. You can be the person you want to be.

You are the change you’ve been waiting for.

Helping others is an excellent way to make this world a better place while increasing the positive energy in your life. You can take a stand against bullying by being an Upstander with the Tyler Clementi Foundation. As an Upstander, you pledge to support anyone who is the target of abusive words or actions.

Speak out, stay strong, and never give up.

Tips For Teens

Identify Supports and Allies
Knowing that there are others who accept you for who you are can help you feel better about yourself during times when bullies try to make you think otherwise. It is important that your support system include staff and adults in whatever location you happen to be, in addition to friends and peers. If you are in the process of transitioning to another gender, it might be important to identify these supports beforehand and come up with a safety plan in advance, just in case you find yourself being victimized by others later on. It never hurts to be prepared!

Safety First!
First and foremost, you might find yourself in an unsafe situation. Removing yourself from those situations is the most important thing you can do. While it is frustrating that there are so many people who are uncomfortable with people whose gender expression is different from what society expects, the fact is that many of these individuals turn their discomfort into discrimination. It isn’t your fault for being who you are. However, how you deal with these situations really matters. Make sure you have a safe escape plan or a way to avoid potentially dangerous situations.

Try to Understand “The How”
For some of us who have been taunted endlessly for most of our lives just for being different, it can sometimes be difficult to know the difference between intolerant bullying versus innocent discomfort/unfamiliarity in others. This can be especially true for those of us who are transitioning genders. This is why it is important to understand “The How.” This refers to figuring out how people are communicating with you in order to determine how to stay safe and how to react best.

With pronouns and name use for example, it might take some people time to use the correct pronoun or name simply because they are used to calling you something different- especially adults. Others might be able to adapt very quickly- or even immediately (friends and positive supports). Others might want to be helpful but they might be forgetful about which pronoun and/or name feels right to you even if you already told them once or twice. However, there might be others who are rigid, downright mean about it, and refuse to change.

In all of these situations, looking at “The How” means doing your best to understand how they might be using the wrong gender pronoun or name. Ask yourself: Is that person purposefully making an error to create a power imbalance between you and them? Are they being forgetful? Are they simply not familiar with the idea that it’s possible to transition genders? Are they just not used to change after knowing you for so long as someone different than how you feel inside?

Then look at the way in which they use the wrong gender pronoun or name. The intentional bully might be (1) laughing when they say it, (2) overemphasizing the pronoun or name in the sentence when they do not have to, (3) using a derogatory word in addition to the pronoun or name, and/or (4) purposely showing off in front of others to get them to laugh as well. In these situations, it is important for you to: (1) Prioritize your safety by getting out of any situation that might be unsafe, (2) Utilize your support network and alert the proper staff (see above tips), and (3) Not react in the way that the bully would want you to. If it is safe to stand up to that person, then be confident and do not show them that their intentional acts are truly bothering you (even though they probably are). Showing a bully that you are bothered might reinforce them to do the same thing (or even worse!) the next time. A good rule of thumb is to remain safe and not react in the way the bully would expect or want you to react!

For someone who keeps forgetting to use your preferred pronoun or name, but does not appear to be doing so in any purposeful way, it might be okay to simply remind them which name and pronoun is correct and nonchalantly move on to another subject. One can say, “I noticed you used this pronoun and/or name, but I actually prefer to go by X instead. Now how about that science test!”

For those who use the incorrect name and pronoun, but then remember and quickly correct themselves, decide whether or not you want to thank them for remembering which pronoun and name you want them to use- especially if it is early on in your transition. Even though cisgender people don’t have to do this, it might help people feel good about being supportive of your transition and then the next time they will be less likely to mess up! One can say, “I appreciate that you remembered to use my preferred pronoun and/or name- thank you, it feels good to have a support system!”

For those who repeatedly use the incorrect name and pronoun but do not do so in an intentionally mean way, it might be okay for you to emphasize the importance when others use your preferred name and pronoun. Try not to be accusatory, but it’s okay to gently and politely state, “I notice you’re using my old pronouns and name, but it is really important to me that my friends and supports use my preferred pronoun and name instead. Now how about that science test!”

“The How” can work for other situations besides pronouns as well, including for situations for gender diverse individuals who are not transitioning to another gender. Understanding “The How” is important because it helps you figure out the best way to safely react to others so you do not over-or-underreact to people who are intentionally trying to be mean and make themselves more powerful over you.

Tips For Educators

Not intervening is NOT neutral
Youth who are transgender or gender diverse are more likely to be victimized than their peers. Adult role models play a really important role in maintaining a safe learning environment for all of these youth. Should you see other students victimize another student on the basis of their gender identity or gender expression, it is important for you to intervene proactively and be specific about why you are intervening. Explicitly stating “We respect all individuals- and how they present their gender- in this classroom and anything other than that is unacceptable” to the bullies is important. You may have just saved a life because you are letting the bullied student know that they can live authentically in that educational environment and that you will not stand for discrimination.

Do Not Make Assumptions about Names and Pronouns
Recognize that not all students feel comfortable being addressed as the name that is legally assigned to them. If a transgender or gender diverse student privately approaches you and asks you to use a different name or pronoun, respect their wish. It is okay to ask them an open-ended question about how to best be supportive. It is also okay to ask them if there are certain environments or situations where they might not feel comfortable being referred to as their preferred name or pronoun (e.g. they might not be out of the closet in front of certain people). Without implying that they automatically have mental health problems, it might be useful to empathically determine if they have a support system and/or identified adult allies to assist them in making healthy decisions and come up with a safety plan. Neither overemphasizing nor underemphasizing the struggles that you think they may encounter is important. A good rule of thumb: convey empathic acceptance and support and neither overemphasize nor underemphasize the potential negative issues that could come about for a student who is transitioning.

Be a role model to other teachers
Believe it or not there will be other staff members in the school who are either ignorant or rejecting of individuals who are transgender or gender diverse. These teachers may make passive remarks that convey they are uncomfortable or they may even make overt statements that are discriminatory against individuals who are gender diverse. Be proactive and take a stance with them! Even if these statements are made behind closed doors (e.g. not in the presence of the actual student), it is very likely that these teachers wouldn’t know the appropriate way to intervene should anything happen between the students themselves in that teacher’s classroom. Those teachers may also not fully appreciate the negative ramifications of misgendering a student who is transitioning to another gender. Seek out administrators and push to have staff trainings on creating safe learning environments for these students.

Lead an LGBTQ group for students
Many schools might not have a safe space for students to interact with others just like them. Having an inclusive extra-curricular club can be a lifesaver for many students who might otherwise feel very alone. Should your school not have a club of this sort, consider establishing one. Inclusive language is important. For example, Gay-Straight-Alliance (GSA) inadvertently might exclude individuals who are transgender or gender diverse. Therefore, consider all-inclusive names and address issues that are relevant for sexual and gender minorities.

Tips For Parents

Recognize that transgender and gender diverse individuals are more likely to be bullied and react appropriately
It is important to be checking in with your child or adolescent to make sure that they are not bottling up certain emotions. Many youth are afraid to tell their parents about their bullying experiences because they fear their parents will not handle the situation in an appropriate way. Some fear their parents will over react while others may feel their parents will under react.

The overreacting parents are those (who are well intentioned) that will independently act to try and prevent their kids from being bullied in the future (or to try and punish the bullies who have already harmed their child or teenager). In some situations, this might be embarrassing for the youth while in others it might inadvertently put them into a more harmful situation because the authorities or administrators do not act in the way the parent wants.

The underreacting parents are those who do very little to show concern when their child or adolescent brings an issue to them. The parent might be concerned but doesn’t know what to do about it. Alternatively, some parents try to engage in an unhelpful conversation with their child or adolescent to try and identify ways in which the child or adolescent acted that caused them to be bullied. This could come off as blaming and dismissive. When youth perceive their parents as dismissive or blaming, they may not share events that happen to them in the future.

The correct way for parents to address bullying with their youth is to: (1) Empathically connect with their child and raise the issue of bullying in general (e.g. “I know many kids are bullied if they are different.”) (2) Ask them if they are being bullied. (e.g. “Has this been an issue that has affected you?”); (3) Let them know that you are there for them to talk about it, no matter how small or big the event was (e.g. “I want you to know that I’m here for you no matter what.”); (4) Ask them if they have a safety plan in place and identify specific instances where the child might be in harms way to determine how to get them out of those dangerous situations.; (5) Ask them if they have a support network. (6) Ask the child in an open-ended way how you can best help them.

If you feel that your child or adolescent isn’t responding to bullying in an appropriate way, or if you feel that they are minimizing or exaggerating the situations, then consider reacting in a different way than what the child believes would be helpful. They may feel that school staff would be indifferent, yet you might have reason to believe that the school staff would be very proactive in coming up with a safety plan. In these situations- as long as it will not lead your child to act in an unsafe way- it is usually best to be as transparent as possible with your child or adolescent when you disagree with them.

Seek Help if you are Struggling with How to Best Support Your Child or Adolescent
For parents of gender diverse and transgender youth, it is not uncommon to experience a sense of worry, loss, sadness, and/or anger. Know that these feelings are okay. It is how you manage these feelings that makes all the difference in the world.

For those whose children/adolescents want to transition genders, it can be daunting to consider the fact that this is even possible. Facing your own loved ones and friends can be a challenge. Reacting to your child or adolescent can be a challenge. Many parents have good intentions but are simply not prepared to support their youth in times of bullying or adversity. At birth, parents are not provided with a handbook entitled “How to manage when your infant comes out as transgender or gender diverse in 10 or 15 years.”

Often, sources of conflict between transgender youth and their parents are over the use of preferred names and pronouns. Youth often wish their parents will start using their preferred name and pronoun almost instantaneously from the point that they disclose their identity to their parent. Know that your reaction to this disclosure and request is very important. So many of these youth experience bullying in their school lives, so when they perceive their parents as unable to cope with the same news, they may feel there is no way out. Remember: using their preferred name and pronoun is a way to help them get to know their true authentic self. Doing so is also not necessarily permanent. So if you think of yourself as someone who is assisting your child or adolescent in exploring their authentic self- even if it differs from the original path that you expected when they were born- you are way ahead of the game and you are doing the right thing.

If you are struggling with how to best support your child or adolescent, seeking professional help for yourself can be just as important as seeking help for them. Know that mental health providers are not here to assume predetermined outcomes, but rather we are here to support our clients and meet them where they are at in the process. Seeking counseling does not make you a failure as a parent- rather it can make you successful in managing issues that parents are often not prepared to deal with. Expanding your network by attending a PFLAG group or meeting other parents of youth who are transgender and gender diverse can be very helpful as well. Hearing their stories of trials, tribulations, successes, and failures may help you figure out what will work best for your own family.

Feature illustration by Jo Morrison, Chicago, IL

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About the Expert

Scott Leibowitz, MD is the Medical Director of Behavioral Health Services for the THRIVE Program- the gender and sex development program at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, OH. Prior to that, he was the Head Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist in the Gender & Sex Development at Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.

Dr. Leibowitz completed his child and adolescent psychiatry training at Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School in 2010 where he first started working with gender diverse youth by developing a consultative, psychosocial assessment and treatment clinic in coordination with the hospital’s Gender Management Service- the first formal medical clinic for transgender youth in the United States. He is currently the co-chairman of the Sexual Orientation Gender Identity Issues Committee for the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, a member of the Global Education Initiative for the World Professional Association of Transgender Health, and is on the global competency taskforce for that committee. He is regarded internationally in this field and has participated in trainings and lectures in Europe, Thailand, and most recently in Japan. Dr. Leibowitz participated in the development of gender, sex, and sexuality competencies for undergraduate medical education as part of the Association of American Medical College’s Advisory Committee on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Sex Development. In 2015, he testified in favor of the Illinois HB 217 Bill that banned Conversion therapy for minors, which ultimately was passed and signed into law. He subsequently served as an expert contributor in developing a report on consensus statements on conversion therapies as part of a joint initiative between SAMHSA and the American Psychological Association.

He is also available on Twitter or Facebook.

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The views or experiences expressed are solely those of the contributor or interview subject and do not represent the views of the Tyler Clementi Foundation, its staff or board. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the material, please contact the Tyler Clementi Foundation, and we appreciate your support and commitment to end bullying starting on #Day1.

As a life-long actress, did you always know you wanted to perform music?
It all started with music for me. It was the sounds of my songwriter father having rehearsals in the living room or playing piano and writing songs. It would make me dance and sing along. I loved classical music and opera and, of course, musicals. I believe it was always music that led me to the art of performance. I have audio tapes of me at 3 years old, improvising story songs for hours. I actually called them “Bridget’s Story Songs.” I think being able to express myself and feel others’ expressions in a musical way is experiencing some kind of magic, some celestial moment.

TCF believes in the power of music to change hearts and mind. We think you do, too! Tell us about a performance or song that helped change you, or perhaps helped shape you as an artist.
There are two moments in my life that I think defined what music and performance can manifest and evolve within us for me and what I wanted to create with it. One, was seeing Lily Tomlin’s one woman show Search for signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe. There is this one moment, at the very end of the show, after we are taken on this journey of characters, through heartbreak, revolution and questions about human consciousness and a giant mirror comes down and covers the whole stage so that the audience was actually looking at themselves. There was an awakening I felt, that it was about “us,” that it was about human emotion connecting us all together and that the people were the art. It blew my mind. Funny enough, the other moment is also connected to this idea of reflection. When I first heard Michael Jackson’s “Man in the Mirror.” That song was on repeat for months. I love art that opens us up to the universal connection and that can lead to personal or communal healing.

“Danger Heart” is a powerful anthem in support of individuality, to standing strong when others look to hold you down (see it below). Will you share with us the inspiration behind it?
It was written about one of my best friends and collaborators, Dusty Childers. He told me a story about growing up as a young, gay boy in South Carolina. He described this one moment with his father that completely had me in tears. They were driving in his Dad’s pick up truck when his father turned down the radio and told him that he knew life was going to be tough for him where they lived so he was taking him to buy clothes for school. Button down shirts, polo shirts, khaki pants. He told him that he just had to make it through high school, then leave this town and never look back. But he told him that he loved him no matter what and that he could rely on him. Dusty did leave his hometown and can be seen throughout New York City in the most beautiful caftans and dresses, adorned with jewelry and headdresses. He truly has the biggest most beautiful ‘danger heart.’ But the song started to take on a lot of meaning, even for me and my own struggles and what I am fighting for in my life. Also, connecting to so many different people and their journey of being “outsiders” or feeling unaccepted or in actual danger for being who they are. It connected to the transgender community, to Black Lives Matter, to abuse and rape survivors, to people struggling with addiction and beyond. It’s truly for all people who are fighting for love, loving for love and standing for what they believe in.

“Danger Heart” makes a reference to being 18. Knowing how the internet can amplify bullying language and behavior, what advice do you wish someone would give today’s 18 year-olds to help keep them safe and kind online?
I have been working with teens in detention for the last year, doing songwriting workshops. I began using the principles of Peace, Love and Power. Speak with peace, act with love and together, we create power. And these are the intentions we set for the songs we write. This would be the intention I would put forth to all youth for the song that is their life. It’s difficult because the online culture is full of constant criticism. This platform which is an opportunity for complete expression is empowering in some ways and then, also very harmful. We have the freedom to critique our government or police forces, but then, the cruelty can be so overwhelming. I think if we can create a way for people (not just teens, but all people) to see themselves in others, this can help the movement for inclusion and community. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” The golden rule never fails. I also think I would share with them the very important need to disconnect from social media and get back into the real world. I believe we lose compassion the more we stay stuck behind a screen.

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Bridget Barkan is a native New Yorker who has been working since birth. From childhood, Barkan has been inspired by both the stage shows of Whoopi Goldberg, Lily Tomlin and Laurie Anderson and the music of artists ranging from Joni Mitchell to Erykah Badu. As a singer, Barkan has toured the world with pop/glam band the Scissor Sisters, opening for Lady Gaga, sung with Lily Allen, and recorded with legendary house DJ and producer Todd Terry in addition to releasing her own albums and singles. Follow Bridget Barkan on Facebook, Twitter or visit her website.

We are all excited for the Black and Gold Halloween Ball at The Asbury. Do you have anything special planned for the event to get the crowd moving?
Thank you very much. I’m very excited, as well, and I love the family at the Asbury hotel. For the music, I approach it organically. I feed off the energy. We’re gonna have a wonderful evening.

A percentage of proceeds from the Black and Gold Halloween Ball will go to The Tyler Clementi Foundation which does important bullying prevention work.  Why is the issue of bullying important to you?
We are all on this planet together. It’s important for everyone to be able to live and be in their own truth. There’s no room for anyone to judge you or harm you because they’re uncomfortable with where they are in their life.

Recently, the CDC released numbers showing the devastating numbers of LGB youth who are bullied and the ramifications (avoiding school, depression, etc.). There hasn’t been an equivalent set of data specifically about trans-identified youth. What do you think people should be doing to create safe space in schools and work for trans-identified individuals?
I believe that it all starts from the ‘get-go’. We aren’t brought into this world with hatred. That is all taught. We all know high school is difficult as it is, but there needs to be assemblies (like those where they take the #Day1 declaration) letting children know that bullying will not be tolerated. It needs to be affirmed throughout every type of interaction, from cyberbullying to physical, that there are consequences.

You started a YouTube talk show speaking with LGBT people called “In the Dollhouse with Lina” with great guest stars like Justin Vivian Bond and others who run the gamut of fashion and performance but all proudly embrace their unique selves. How important is this to you?
It is such a gift to be able to do this show. It’s been a lifetime dream. I have been a huge doll collector since the age of four. My Barbie room really lent itself as the perfect backdrop. My show is for everyone who can love themselves, who wants to laugh, who wants to be enlightened, and even who wants to get schooled. That’s huge for me. It’s always been who I am, and now, I’m able to share that with people who may only know me as a DJ for the last 20 years. They now get insights every Thursday with influential people from every walk of life.


On social media, celebrities have often instigated and developed Twitter wars and hostilities that courted press and riled fans. As an all-star and celebrity DJ, how do you feel about these exchanges?
I have never been about affirming hostility. It takes more energy to be ugly and nasty than it does to be nice. No one wants to read all that. It just starts eating at you, and eventually, you become the disease. I’m not about that I’m energy. I’m a princess of light.

Do you think bullies can change?
We’re human. I’ve seen people change. I don’t believe that being hostile and rude to people. In order to try to make them change, sometimes killing them with kindness goes a long way. They realize down the road when it’s time for them, and then they do. No one likes to be miserable. We all want to be loved and accepted in the end.

If you could do one thing to stop all bullying, what would you do?
Stop feeding the cold. Don’t respond to it. Don’t be a part of it. Keep yourself around good positive energy and light.

We all need some positivity and support at times. What song do you turn to when you need to get lifted up?
Music is such a beautiful tool in life. I don’t get down. I’m a very upbeat person, but if I need a life, anything by Led Zeppelin always gets me going.

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Follow DJ Lina on Facebook and Instagram.

James Clementi: Have you or someone you been personally impacted by bullying? 
Gio Benitez: Absolutely. I was bullied and made fun of all throughout my younger years (when I was about 10-15). Everything from my teeth, to the pitch of my young voice, to how skinny I was, to not playing any sports — I was torn apart by it all, and found comfort going home and watching cartoons and afternoon comedy shows — my way of an escape, I guess.

James Clementi: As an openly gay Latino journalist, you are paving a way to make things easier for the next generation to succeed in their chosen career. What are some obstacles you encountered on your path to success, and how did you overcome them?
Gio Benitez: When I was first starting out on TV in Miami, I was told by another young reporter that I couldn’t be both openly gay and successful. I remember seriously wondering if that was true. And I think that’s a challenge for many people in the public eye. But I decided I couldn’t keep that to myself my whole life. That personal decision, I believe, allowed me to feel much more comfortable with myself and my work.

James Clementi: Much of your reporting has centered on social justice issues, such as the Trayvon Martin case and police brutality. As you have worked to raise awareness, what do you hope to see our society do with this awareness?
Gio Benitez: I hope as a society, we are able to show kindness to each other — true, real kindness that comes from the heart.

James Clementi: You are the first TV reporter ever to shoot a story entirely on an iPhone. How do you view the role of technology is our lives?
Gio Benitez: I think technology completely envelopes our lives. Most of us reach for our phones the moment we wake up — Twitter, newsfeeds, email, texts, videos. We are bombarded by information! It’s the greatest age for sharing information. During presidential debates, everyday citizens are fact checking the candidates — it’s remarkable and exciting. But there’s also a truly dark side: cyber bullying. So many, including myself, can’t escape cruel words on social media. That’s incredibly sad, but it also means that every person can use those same digital tools to help prevent and perhaps even stop online bullying. For example, my husband created a digital campaign with the hashtag #WorldNeedsMoreLove. How great if we all woke up each day with a phrase like that in mind.

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Gio Benitez is an ABC News correspondent and host of Fusion’s edition of “Nightline” based in New York. He reports for all ABC News programs and platforms including “Good Morning America,” “World News Tonight with David Muir,” “Nightline” and “20/20.” Benitez was born and raised in Miami and fluent in both English and Spanish. Follow him on Facebook and Twitter.

It’s strange sometimes how the threads of life come together in unexpected ways. When it happens through music, it may appear to be less random. We all have a soundtrack for our lives, whether it be rock n roll, country, hip-hop, classical, jazz, alternative, punk, all of the above or any other combination. New Orleans has its own constant beat, a syncopated rhythm that permeates our lives. Fortunately, I’m a tenor. Choirs seem to always need tenors. It helps if you can read music and carry a tune; simply being a tenor is not sufficient, but it helps. Lucky me.

Choral singing has always been an important part of my life. As a member of the Symphony Chorus of New Orleans, when our music director informed us that this season we would perform “Tyler’s Suite,” my first reaction was “OK, who’s Tyler?” To which our music director replied, “You know, the young musician from New Jersey whose act of desperation inspired his family to start an anti-bullying foundation. A number of Broadway composers and lyricists wrote a nine movement choral piece about Tyler, his life, his family and his legacy.” This reminder awakened some dormant brain cells. Yes, I remember all too well the tragic death of Tyler Clementi, an accomplished young violinist who jumped to his death from the George Washington Bridge in 2010 after his college roommate set up a webcam that recorded Tyler kissing another man. Now the threads of connection started to flow at full force.

We are performing “Tyler’s Suite” at Temple Sinai, a magnificent structure that eerily resembles the synagogue of my youth, Temple Emanuel. The two buildings were completed just a year apart—Temple Sinai in 1928, Temple Emanuel in 1929. Their main sanctuaries are strikingly similar. Both are adorned with stained glass windows that are beautiful when the light falls on them from behind. Both sanctuaries have the same type of seating, the same number of seats and the same layout, although the temple from my youth holds more memories for me.

I am a native of Paterson, New Jersey. During my youth, I often walked down East 33rd Street towards the Passaic River, passing Temple Emanuel on the corner of 33rd and Broadway (Temple Emanuel’s congregation moved many years ago). As I continued walking, I would pass 12th Ave, then 11th Ave and come to the 10th Avenue Circle (now circle-less and is just another intersection), which connects Paterson to Fair Lawn via the Morlot Avenue Bridge that crosses the Passaic River. On the other side of Fair Lawn lies Ridgewood, the home of Tyler Clementi and his family.

There are other connections, too. Tyler’s mom Jane was born in Paterson (but grew up in Fair Lawn). My brother’s wife was from Ridgewood, a member of its Italian community, and I learned the various routes from anyplace in New Jersey to Ridgewood, most of which involve Routes 17, 4 the Garden State Parkway or some combination of them.

Another connection to Tyler and his family is Rutgers—the college he chose to attend after he graduated from high school. Yes, I am a Rutgers alumnus. Freshman year at college is a time for personal discovery. The first time away from home, one can try on different identities to see how they fit. One can explore and experience the world. One probes, prods, takes on different mantles and checks the reaction of self and others. Who shall I be today?

I remember, oh so clearly, my first year at Rutgers. Assigned to Davidson dormitory on the Heights Campus, which is now the Busch Campus, we had no idea what we had gotten into until we got there. At that time there were only two buildings on the Heights Campus—newly constructed math and science buildings. The Heights Campus could have been across the ocean. It was considered banishment to live there. The dormitory was at least three miles from the main College Avenue campus. Since freshmen were not allowed to have cars on campus, the only way to get to the main campus was by shuttle bus. The bus stopped running at 10 p.m. If you missed the last bus, it was a long walk back to the dorm. Freshmen were assigned there because no upperclassman in his right mind would volunteer to live there Yes, I said upperclassman—Rutgers was not yet co-ed when I arrived.

Davidson A, B, C, and D, two H shaped buildings side by side, shared a cafeteria in common. Our limited transportation options meant we were stuck with each other. We played a lot of crab soccer in the big common area, which was our gathering place. We were young. We were on our own. We were exploring life and attempting to define ourselves. We did the same things that generations before us had done, and the same things that those who would follow us would do. Sadly, Tyler never had the chance to experience such things.

While in high school I attended a school in Manhattan, so three times a week I took the bus across the George Washington Bridge where the bus terminal connected to the 175th Street IND 8th Avenue subway station that I would take to 125th street. I’ve walked across the George Washington Bridge and felt the pull the flowing water far below exerts on people: beautiful, peaceful, remarkable in its power and its temptations. I know the path Tyler walked, but not Tyler’s pain.

Our lives are framed by institutions. The first institution we experience is the family we are born into—parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins. The next institution we experience is spiritual, as most of us and our families are members of some religious faith, then school, work. Family, faith, school—places that are supposed to be safe.

I know Tyler’s geography all too well. We have institutions in common. We have cities in common. We have North Jersey, the GWB, Rutgers, Ridgewood and Paterson. We have threads that tie our lives to one another even though we never met. Threads ravel and unravel. Perhaps Tyler’s threads unraveled to the point where they could no longer bear his weight. It was left to his family to pick up those threads and weave something more enduring through music—another connection. I know Tyler’s hometown. I know his college campus. I know everything about him except the man/boy himself. Now, I am getting to know him through the nine movements of “Tyler’s Suite.”

I hope you have an opportunity to experience “Tyler’s Suite” for yourself.

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Hank Fanberg is a 10-year member of the Symphony Chorus of New Orleans and its current board president. A native of Paterson, New Jersey, he is a long time resident of New Orleans. He is employed by CHRISTUS Health, one of the nation’s largest faith based Catholic health systems where he serves as a member of the office of the CIO and is responsible for technology advocacy and innovation. He has a life long interest in vocal music and has sung in choruses including the New Orleans Opera Chorus, Zamir Chorale and others since his teens.

Follow the New Orleans Symphony Chorus on Facebook and Twitter.

How do you define bullying?
CDC defines bullying as any unwanted aggressive behavior(s) by another youth or group of youths, who are not siblings or current dating partners, involving an observed or perceived power imbalance and is repeated multiple times or is highly likely to be repeated. Bullying may inflict harm or distress on the targeted youth including physical, psychological, social, or educational harm.¹ A young person can be a perpetrator, a victim, or both (also known as a “bully/victim”).

Bullying can occur in-person and through technology. Electronic aggression, or “cyber-bullying,” is bullying that happens through email, chat rooms, instant message, a website, text message, or social media.²

Why does the CDC see bullying as a public health issue?

Bullying is widespread in the United States. In a 2015 nationwide survey, 20% of high school students reported being bullied on school property in the 12 months preceding the survey, and an estimated 16% of high school students reported in 2015 that they were bullied electronically in the 12 months before the survey.³

How would you describe the impact that bullying has on individuals? On communities?

Bullying can result in physical injury, social and emotional distress, and even death. Victimized youth are at increased risk for depression, anxiety, sleep difficulties, and poor school adjustment. Youth who bully others are at increased risk for substance use, academic problems, and violence later in adolescence and adulthood.⁴

Youth who both bully others and are bullied themselves (i.e., “bully-victims”) suffer the most serious consequences and are at greater risk for both mental health and behavior problems than those who only bully others or are bullied by other.⁵

What kind of response has the CDC’s report received?

CDC’s August 11 Sexual Minority Youth MMWR report was received with gratitude and excitement by the vast majority of external stakeholders, LGBTQ organizations, and researchers who worked with CDC to make this data collection a reality. The health disparities noted in the report were described as heartbreaking, horrifying, shocking, and unacceptable. Many expressed that the report is ground-breaking, long overdue, and a land-mark that will hopefully motivate much needed changes to help gay, lesbian, and bisexual students not only survive, but actually thrive.

Our work is certainly not done and the need for health risk data on transgender youth is critical, as is highlighted by feedback about this report. CDC has been working on multiple fronts to determine how this can be accomplished with the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) and/or other data systems. CDC will be piloting a gender identity question next year on selected state and local YRBS’s and will continue to evaluate whether the number of positive respondents is large enough to capture reliable data on transgender youth or if other research formats are needed.

There were so many important findings from this study that may impact LGB youth and as well as their parents and teachers. Can you draw any inferences to other minority youth from these findings?

The 2015 National YRBS report did not have enough responses to develop data on lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth by race/ethnicity, but for all youth:

• 18.4 percent of white students reported being electronically bullied, versus 8.6 percent of black students and 12.4 percent of Hispanic students
• 23.5 percent of white students reported being bulled on school property, versus 13.2 percent of black students and 16.5 percent of Hispanic students

We can’t make any clear inferences but we do need more of an understanding of how bullying differs by children with disabilities or special needs, by racial or ethnic groups, and by children with various religions and faiths.

The study included results factoring in online bullying. Can you describe the environment that exists online for LGB youth and how parents and teachers might approach creating safer space for their children who may identify as LGBT (or non-gender identified)?

Cyber-bullying is an emerging issue that needs further exploration. In the 2015 national YRBS, approximately 16% of all high school students reported experiencing cyber-bullying and unfortunately this estimate has not changed significantly since the question was first asked in 2011. Unfortunately, for lesbian, gay, and bisexual students and students who have sex with their same sex or both sexes, rates are almost double (i.e., close to 30%). We don’t have specific resources for parents and teachers of youth who identify as LGBT, but we have general tips for parents/caregivers and teachers:

For educators:

• Explore current bullying prevention policies
• Work collaboratively to develop policies
• Explore current programs to prevent bullying and youth violence
• Offer training on electronic aggression for educators and administrators
• Talk to teens
• Work with IT and support staff
• Create a positive school atmosphere
• Have a plan in place for what should happen if an incident is brought to the attention of school officials

For parents/caregivers:

• Talk to your child
• Develop rules
• Explore the internet
• Talk with other parents/caregivers
• Encourage your school or school district to conduct a class for caregivers about electronic aggression
• Keep current

The study’s implications can be seen as validation of what so many working with LGB (and T) youth have been saying for many years. Why is the CDC issuing this now?

To understand more about behaviors that can contribute to negative health outcomes among lesbian, gay, and bisexual students, a question to ascertain sexual identity and a question to ascertain sex of sexual contacts was added for the first time to the 2015 national and standard Youth Risk Behavior Survey or YRBS. Thus, the report released in August 2016 is the first time we’ve been able to estimate the health risks of U.S. lesbian, gay, and bisexual high school students with a nationally representative sample. This research is critical for understanding and addressing the disparities in risk among lesbian, gay, and bisexual high school students—a population at elevated risk for a number of health concerns. These data are also important to assess trends in risk behaviors over time and the information is important to help policymakers at all levels plan and evaluate prevention programs and policies.

You said, “All of us can help to position lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth to survive and thrive in their environments, and it’s critical that we take action.” Tyler Clementi Foundation has been working with schools and colleges with our #Day1 Program, for example, to establish safe space in workplaces, classrooms and organizations. What key messages do you recommend are present in what the study says are “comprehensive, community-wide prevention efforts [that] can reduce the risk of multiple types of violence for these and other vulnerable youth”?

All of us, including parents, schools and communities, can and must take action to ensure lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth survive and thrive:

• Ensure comprehensive, community-wide support systems that reduce risk and promote protective factors for lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth
• Parents: foster resiliency by providing strong family support; teach all children non-violent problem solving skills
• Schools: build environment that provides a sense of safety and connectedness for all students, including gay, lesbian, and bisexual youth
• Communities: reduce stressors for gay, lesbian, and bisexual youth by reducing discrimination and forms of victimization that contribute to vulnerability
• Connectedness is key to protecting health of these adolescents — to parents, to peers, to teachers, and to schools and other community organizations
• Students are more likely to thrive in their schools and communities if they know they matter – that they have adults, teachers, and friends who care about their safety and success

We also know that the sexual violence and bullying experienced by transgender youth and adults cannot be ignored and requires a nationwide response. CDC is committed to working, in collaboration with key partners and the community, to improve health and safety for transgender individuals.

How will the CDC be contributing in the coming years to end bullying and harassment?

CDC is committed to understanding and preventing bullying before it starts by using a population-based approach and developing a rigorous science base. Developing a rigorous science base is particularly needed in the area of bullying prevention, as there is limited information about the different forms of bullying, the factors that place youth at risk for or protect youth from experiencing bullying, and effective prevention strategies for schools and communities to implement. CDC’s approach to bullying prevention includes:

• Defining the problem and monitoring trends through surveillance;
• Using research to identify risk and protective factors;
• Developing and evaluating comprehensive, community‐based prevention programs; and
• Disseminating research to ensure widespread adoption of evidence‐based strategies.

In addition, CDC’s Division of Violence Prevention works closely with our funded partners to implement and evaluate programs to prevent bullying. For example, our staff collaborate with the Youth Violence Prevention Centers and STRYVE sites to prevent violence and bullying in individuals, families, schools, and communities by implementing evidence-based programs, including Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies (PATHS), Positive Action, and Second Step: Student Success Through Prevention. We also fund partners to implement a data-driven approach to prevent all forms of violence called Communities That Care.

Finally, we collaborate with other federal agencies to spread awareness of bullying and help link youth, parents, and communities to resources on bullying via the Federal Partners in Bullying Prevention Working Group and www.StopBullying.gov.

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Debra Houry, MD, MPH, is the Director of the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC) at CDC. In this role, she leads innovative research and science-based programs to prevent injuries and violence and to reduce their consequences. Follow her on Facebook and Twitter.

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References

1. Gladden RM, Vivolo-Kantor AM, Hamburger ME, Lumpkin CD. Bullying Surveillance Among Youths: Uniform Definitions for Public Health and Recommended Data Elements, Version 1.0. Atlanta, GA; National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and U.S. Department of Education; 2013. Available from http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/bullying-definitions-final-a.pdf[PDF 8.64MB].
2. David-Ferdon C, Hertz MF. Electronic media and youth violence: A CDC issue brief for researchers. Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2009. Available from http://www.cdc.gov/ViolencePrevention/pdf/Electronic_Aggression_Researcher_Brief-a.pdf[PDF 11MB].
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Youth risk behavior surveillance—United States, 2015. MMWR, Surveillance Summaries 2016;65(SS6). Available from http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/pdf/2015/ss6506_updated.pdf.
4. Farrington D, Baldry A. Individual risk factors for school bullying. Journal of Aggression, Conflict and Peace Research. 2010; 2(1):4-16.
5. Haynie DL, Nansel T, Eitel P, et al. Bullies, victims, and bully/victims: Distinct groups of at-risk youth. The Journal of Early Adolescence. 2011;21(1):29-49.
6. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Preventing Bullying Through Science, Policy, and Practice. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press; 2016. Available from http://sites.nationalacademies.org/DBASSE/BCYF/Science_on_Bullying/index.htm.
7. Farrington DP, Ttofi MM. School-based programs to reduce bullying and victimization. Systematic review for The Campbell Collaboration Crime and Justice Group; 2010. Available from http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/229377.pdf[PDF 270KB]