On June 1 2021, at Bennion Junior High in Taylorsville Utah, a student was wrongfully harassed for being LGBT. Unfortunately, this is not the first or last time these things have happened. 

Instead of protecting said student and holding the harasser accountable, administration completely ignored and brushed off the issue. Not only is this wrong, but it also puts students in danger.

It pains me to see that fellow peers and classmates are scared to be themselves because of this repeated, tolerated, and unfortunately very “justified” behavior. Nothing about this is okay. Tolerating discrimination and remaining quiet is taking the side of the oppressor.

Actions range from heavy LGBT slur usage, physical harassment, theft, and other actions- those that often traumatize and permanently cause damage to those those who are targeted. Granite School District's non-discrimination statement claims these behaviors to be intolerable and unacceptable; yet remains quiet when faced with issues as big as this.  

The Non-Discrimination Statement: “Granite School District prohibits discrimination, harassment (including sexual harassment), or retaliation on the basis of race, color, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other legally protected classification … .”

If Granite School District claims prohibit these behaviors, then administration needs to start handing out consequences for them. 

This is not something that can continue. The bullying, harassment, slur usage, and overall hatred thrown at the LGBT youth causes not only trauma, but other issues as well. Tolerating this shows how much students’ well-being matters to staff. It is incredibly important for administration to foster a safe learning environment where each student feels safe, heard, and free to be themselves.

Hold each of these individuals accountable. What they did & continue to do is damaging and wrong. We are approaching adulthood. It is crucial for them to understand that this will not slide.

I, (Aleah Patterson- @teefrz) am seeking change- much needed and crucial change. I have provided a linktree in my Instagram bio that contains a Google Form and hopefully an article in the future.