Facebook joins campaign to fight for LGBT

GLAAD, MTV, HRC among campaign partners joining to stop cyberbullying against LGBT community

Facebook announced Tuesday evening that it has joined a campaign to combat “textual” harassment, cyberbullying and other new forms of intimidation emerging in the digital age, especially attacks that target (LGBT) lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people.

Campaign partners include MTV's A Thin Line; the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD); the Human Rights Campaign (HRC); the Trevor Project; the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN); and Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG).

MySpace has also added itself to the campaign.

Said Facebook in a statement:

“In light of recent tragedies involving youth who have taken their own lives as a result of anti-LGBT bullying, we felt it necessary to form a “Network of Support” to help us effectively address issues faced by the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community.”

The Facebook note also included a list of helpful suggestions and words of wisdom to those struggling against cyberbullying. Users can always block anyone they want from their privacy settings on Facebook and the site has links littered all throughout the site for reporting abusive behavior. Beyond offering these technological tools to victims of hate, Facebook encourages users to stick up for each other, to think twice before posting something that could be offensive, to get help when they feel overwhelmed, and to realize that many people are dealing with many of the same concerns at the same.

Much of the power of the campaign is about raising awareness and letting LGBT people know that they are not alone in their daily struggles.

The announcement that Facebook would be joining the campaign comes a day before a new event called Spirit Day, intended to honor six homosexual boys who took their own lives in recent weeks.

One of the most prominent Facebook event pages--R.I.P. ;; In memory of the recent suicides due to gay abuse, wear purple--has 1.5 million members saying they will “attend” Spirit Day. That is, they support a GLAAD initiative to have people wear purple on October 20 in memory of six homosexual boys who took their own lives:

It’s been decided. On October 20th, 2010, we will wear purple in honor of the 6 gay boys who committed suicide in recent weeks/months due to homophobic abuse in their homes and at their schools. Purple represents Spirit on the LGBTQ flag and that’s exactly what we’d like all of you to have with you: spirit. Please know that times will get better and that you will meet people who will love you and respect you for who you are, no matter your sexuality. Please wear purple on October 20th. Tell your friends, family, co-workers, neighbors and schools. RIP Tyler Clementi, Asher Brown, Seth Walsh, Justin Aaberg, Raymond Chase and Billy Lucas. You are loved.