Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, talked about the need for schools free of bigotry and fear at the GLSEN Respect Awards in New York. The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), is a national education organization focused on ensuring safe schools for all students. Said Biden:

“Change is not easy, especially when it comes to ending bigotry and fear. But I am confident that together, we will succeed. That is why I am proud to tell you that the Obama-Biden administration shares your commitment to making sure every student has a safe school. Each child, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, deserves an education.”

Brave Denver third grader Ethan McNamee organized a rally this past weekend in support of gay marriage. Ethan decided to make the rally his class project after witnessing gay bullying on the playground and because he thought it was wrong that his lesbians neighbors were not allowed to marry.

Watch:

Even those with a different view offered praise for Ethan’s efforts. Senator Shawn Mitchell, R-Broomfield in the Denver Post:

“You have to admire his compassion and initiative,” Mitchell said. “I’d like to think that someday he’ll understand the issue is a little more complicated.”

No sir. It’s not complicated at all. The kid gets it. You don’t.

The Illinois Family Institute (IFI) has released an insidious and homophobic piece of propaganda called “Dare to Stand” which makes NOM’s “Gathering Storm” look like amateur hour. The new video is a “rethinking” of the National Day of Silence on April 17th, a youth-driven event which calls attention to anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying and harassment in schools. Watch “Dare to Stand”… if you dare.

Classified as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center, IFI purports to “uphold marriage & family, life & liberty in the Land of Lincoln.” From their website…

It is our firm opinion that these claims of discrimination, intolerance and bullying (aimed at people of faith who believe God’s Word that homosexuality is sin) are diverting attention away from GLSEN’s main purpose which has been and continues to be the normalization of homosexuality among impressionable youth.

This 6 minute video, made by a Bible believing church here in Illinois, exposes how our children are being indoctrinated, held captive and forced to accept an unproven and dangerous ideology while Biblical Truth is undermined.

“Dare to Stand” surfaces in the wake of Carl Walker-Hoover’s death, the young boy who recently killed himself after enduring repeated anti-gay bullying.

Many may view the timing as unfortunate, but “Dare to Stand” may present a wonderful opportunity for additional dialogue, shedding more light on homophobia and bullying in schools, while at the same time pushing groups like IFI further out of the mainstream and into Fred Phelps territory.

Sadly, Carl’s birthday would have been on April 17th. Hopefully many will use this day of silence to reflect on this tragedy… and how not to repeat it.