These Students Are Self-Identifying Labels To Take Down Slurs and Stereotypes

In preparation for GLSEN's No Name-Calling Week, we asked students to tell us the labels and identities that they hold and want to be called. Self-identification can be empowering, and it can be hurtful when people use labels that don't match the ones we choose ourselves. These students are making a statement against name-calling and bullying by encouraging people not to use slurs or stereotypes, but to call their peers by the names that they identify with and give others permission to use.

You can put #KindnessInAction by calling people the names they WANT to be called. Want to share how you identify? Join the conversation by posting your own sign with the names you WANT to be called. Make sure to use #KindnessInAction and tag @glsenoffical on Twitter and Instagram! 

To get involved with No Name-Calling Week, and to get free streaming of LGBTQ-inclusive classroom documentaries, register here!

Help end #bullying this #NoNameCallingWeek and call students the names they want to be called! Put #KindnessInAction with your own sign!  https://t.co/1GN2g1v1Kn #LGBTQ #trans pic.twitter.com/0cugpzC1bc

— GLSEN (@GLSEN) January 3, 2018

for @GLSEN #NoNameCallingWeek , im asking folxs to put #KindnessInAction by calling me what i want to be called! STRONG! pic.twitter.com/4J9vwjDLdL

— james (@jamesvank) December 27, 2017

Students, what are the names you WANT to be called? Show that you're against name-calling at school with your own sign! https://t.co/1GN2g1v1Kn #NoNameCallingWeek #KindnessInAction pic.twitter.com/U1r3Dx3DY2

— GLSEN (@GLSEN) January 5, 2018

 

Celebrate @glsenofficial no name-calling week by spreading kindness and calling people what they want to be called!! Among other things I am an artist, soft and queer, proud as hell trans/enby boy!! #glsen #spreadkindness

A post shared by Cody (@_codys_corner_) on Jan 6, 2018 at 1:09pm PST

 

for @glsenofficial ‘s no name calling week, put #KindnessInAction by calling ppl what they want to be called!! i want to be called BEAUTIFUL (because i am :-)) 

A post shared by imani (she/her)(@rosetampon) on Dec 29, 2017 at 3:24pm PST

 

#KindnessInAction I am a very strong, very brown, very gay flower boi 

A post shared by Kian Elijah They/He (@flamboyant._.flautist) on Dec 11, 2017 at 4:34pm PST

 

call lgbt+ students and all community members the names we want to be called, not just through @glsenofficial #glsen #nonamecallingweek #nncw (january fifteenth-nineteenth) but throughout every single day. that being said, what are you going to do to put #kindnessinaction ? “i am a proud + gay + masculine + agender + chicanx + educated + comedic + realistic + dedicated + mentally ill + learning + innovative + builder + a proud compassionate padre, ze. con mucho amor -mc” - #smallgaysinabigworld

A post shared by mari contreras [ze, zie, zirs] (@prouddadmari) on Dec 10, 2017 at 10:41am PST

 

"for GLSEN #NoNameCallingWeek , im asking folks to put #KindnessInAction by calling me what i want to be called! Proudly Gay! Celebrate kindness by claiming words and using then to empower yourself! #nonamecallingweek" - @charneyyyy What names do you WANT to be called? Get your own sign and help end name-calling at your school at the link in bio! #LGBTQ #lesbian #gay #proud #bi #trans #queer #nonbinary

A post shared by GLSEN (@glsenofficial) on Jan 2, 2018 at 1:46pm PST

 

Let's take down #slurs and #stereotypes TOGETHER! Get ready for #NoNameCallingWeek and tell everyone the names you WANT to be called with your own sign ️ glsen.org/iam #KindnessInAction #LGBTQ #emotional #empath #femme #vulnerable #trans #disabled #radical #healing

A post shared by GLSEN (@glsenofficial) on Jan 8, 2018 at 4:07pm PST

 

"I am queer unapologetically" -@oarheghan Call students names that they identify with and that make them feel empowered — NOT #slurs and #stereotypes! Find lessons and activities at our link in bio to help end bullying and bias at your school this #NoNameCallingWeek! #KindnessInAction #UnapologeticallyQueer #LGBTQ #labels #queer #gay #lesbian #bi #trans #nonbinary

A post shared by GLSEN (@glsenofficial) on Jan 9, 2018 at 7:08am PST

Don't forget to register for No Name-Calling Week for free streaming of LGBTQ-inclusive classroom documentaries!