Dr. Jill Biden Speaks at GLSEN Respect Awards

Dr. Jill Biden, a 28-year-educator and wife of the Vice President, spoke at last night’s GLSEN Respect Awards – New York gala, making the case that all students deserve to be safe in school, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression.

Biden pointed to the recent suicides of Carl Walker-Hoover and Jaheem Herrera, who had suffered constant anti-gay bullying, as part of the consequences of the “failure to confront a hostile school climate where bullying and harassment can be daily occurrences.” Sirdeaner Walker, Carl’s mother, also attended and received the GLSEN Award for Courage.

Dr. Biden’s remarks: