Senior Project: Cyberbullying Against the LGBTQ+

Graduating from my high school, the Center School, requires work, commitment, and dedication in the creation of a senior project that reflects a social injustice in our community today. My projects is on Social Network Cyberbullying against the LGBTQ+ Community; the following is my mini 'Call to Action'/Informative guide on the project, as well as my awareness poster I created as a product of my f...inal project. The awareness poster was made to show the emphasized (in symbolism and imagery) effects and consequences of cyberbullying.

Cyberbullying has become a social injustice against the LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay Bisexual, Transgender, etc…) Community over social media networks, publically discriminating, segregating, and ridiculing countless individuals for their lifestyles and choices made based on their sexualities. Day after day, there are issues that go unreported as they are undermined and labeled as minor offenses or immature gestures; this form of exploitation is and will continue to be a threat to youth who are afraid of the judgment of others. Cyberbullying is a recurring issue that leads to depression, psychological damage, and furthermore, self-harm/suicide in LGBT youth and should be addressed through proper education of online safety and what one must do in order to avoid Cyberbullying.
While this has been a pressing issue that needs to be addressed, there are feasible alternatives/solutions to fixing the problem. The few things most difficult to change about a human being are their ideals and beliefs. Putting an end to LGBT Cyberbullying is an incredibly difficult task, but it is not impossible to impede social media discrimination and exploitation on the internet. Putting out ad-campaigns, spreading the word, going to the right source for support when needed, all these things will better online communities for both parties. Simply putting out the word that Cyberbullying is wrong and frowned-upon is a huge step in the right direction to bring online bullying to a slow. At the same time, we should continue our support for equalization of the gay community. You don’t have to be a victim of Cyberbullying, or a homosexual to help out with the cause. All it takes is a little heart to stand up for the victims. Just make sure you don’t become a victim yourself, for no one should have to shoulder the burden of someone else’s pain. Go to people for support, friends, family, hotlines, supportive social networks, etc.; anyone and everyone can make the difference.
Many groups and public organizations work to secure the rights and liberties of any and all of those whom deserve to be treated as a proper American citizen. These groups practice many forms of lobbying, support groups, and events in order to protect the freedoms of the LGBT; but just one or even a dozen sponsors will not be enough. There is still discrimination against those who chose to live the way they do. We can’t easily change those people’s opinion on how others sexual orientations may be, but we stop them from taking their beliefs to the internet. We can keep those people from directing their hateful and potentially harmful beliefs towards the innocent who just want to live a life away from those hateful words.
Cyberbullying continues to threaten LGBT youth through the abusive use of Social Networks, leaving many youth ridiculed, scarred, alienated, hurt and sometimes at the brink of deciding whether or not to end it all with an irreversible decision. You can help, anyone can make even the smallest of differences by contributing to the prosperity of the organizations who continually support the gay community, and the movements that work to protest the inappropriate usage of social networks for discrimination and bullying. There are hotlines and numbers you can call if you ever feel or see others threatened by any form of bullying, experienced professionals and trained individuals will be at the ready in case of an emergency. There are websites and local charities you can also contribute to, even if you don’t have any money for financial support, you can still share their page and information with others so they can be ready to help those in the time of need.