Black History Month Heroes: Sirdeaner Walker

GLSEN is proud to honor Black History Month by celebrating the contributions of the African American community to the LGBT and safe schools movements. Throughout February we will be recognizing the African American heroes who have made significant contributions to the LGBT and safe schools movements. Click here for more information, and keep reading all month long for new additions!

 

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"We need to ensure that all of our children are protected. I know that the only way to achieve this goal is to find common ground. We need to teach our children the simple message of respect for all. And we must do it now."

- Sirdeaner Walker

Sirdeaner Walker is the mother of 11-year-old Carl Walker-Hoover, who died by suicide after enduring constant bullying at school. Carl, who attended New Leadership Charter School in Springfield, Massachusetts, was frequently taunted by anti-gay slurs even though he did not identify as gay. Since this tragedy, Sirdeaner Walker has campaigned ferociously against anti-LGBT bullying and harassment in K-12 schools and in support of GLSEN. In July of 2009 she testified in front of the House Subcommittees on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education and Healthy Families and Communities in support of the Safe Schools Improvement Act (federal legislation to require that schools adopt anti-bullying policies).

 

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We want to know who your heroes are! If you know an African American person who has contributed to the LGBT and safe schools movement, post about them on the Gay-Straight Alliances Facebook page. You can also tweet your heroes to @DayofSilence using the #GLSENBHM hashtag!