Count Me Out

Monday, I'll be joining in a grassroot National Coming Out Day "Social Media Ambush."

The goal is to spread awareness about and support diversity, tolerance, and respect as well as anti-bullying and anti-homophobia efforts. The method is by having social media users (facebook, twitter, myspace, etc.) "donate" their profile picture to the cause on Monday, October 11th and throughout the following week, as well as using the tag #CountMeOut (for my twitter friends).

Read the full who/what/where/when/how and why here. The how is really easy - I've copied their instructions:

Go to http://www.pixlr.com/editor/
Select "Open image from computer" or "Open image from URL"
Select your image
TINT THE IMAGE:
In the bar at the top of the website click on "Adjustment"
It will open a drop-down menu. Select the option at the very bottom "Color Lookup"
It will open a selection of colors. Select the rainbow image (the fourth option)
WRITE "OUT" OR "ALLY":
Click on the letter "A" on the tool bar located on the left side of the website
Then click anywhere on the image, opening a text menu box.
Type "OUT" or "ALLY," select a font you like best, in either black or white
Click on the arrow symbol at the top-right of the tool bar, then click on the word
"OUT" or "ALLY" to move it into your desired position on the image.
SAVE:
Click on "File" at the very top left corner of the website.
It will open a drop-down menu. Click "Save."

Did you know?

• 86% of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students experience some form of harassment in school each year because of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity.
• Nearly half report being physically harassed and almost a quarter report being physically assaulted.
• Three out of five LGBT students feel unsafe at school because of their sexual orientation.
• Lesbian, gay and bisexual youth are at a four times higher risk for suicide than their straight peers. 

All kids have a right to feel safe. If you read my post Friday about the new LGBT Center at CWRU, you might remember these words from the university president:

Every single member of our community is important, and each of us should strive to ensure our actions convey that message. Tolerance and respect are essential to our mission

I believe this statement applies to life in general, not just the university community. I hope you do, too.