National Black Justice Coalition Welcomes Huntsville City Schools’ Policy and Training Changes to Protect LGBTQ+ Students
CONTACT: Jordan Wilhelmi | jordan@unbendablemedia.com
WASHINGTON – Today, following the tragic death of Nigel Shelby, a Black, openly gay teenager who died by suicide in April of 2019 after experiencing anti-gay harassment and race discrimination while attending Alabama’s Huntsville High School, Huntsville City Schools reportedly agreed to implement a series of policy and training changes designed to better protect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer students from sex-based harassment.
Dr. David J. Johns, executive director of the National Black Justice Coalition, a leading Black LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, issued the following statement:
“While we are pleased to see Huntsville City Schools taking steps to ensure that their schools are safe and affirming places for all students, including LGBTQ+ youth, it remains a small consolation amid the tragic loss of Nigel Shelby’s life, and underscores the urgent need to create safe spaces for LGBTQ+/Same-Gender Loving (SGL) students in all schools.
“We mourn with Nigel’s mother, Camika Shelby, and marvel at her strength and courage to create change so that no other child faces the hate, discrimination, and bullying Nigel suffered, and no family has to experience the loss of a child.
“It is our hope that other school districts across the country will learn from this tragedy at Huntsville City Schools and take proactive steps to create safer and more inclusive learning environments for all students, particularly LGBTQ+ students of color, who are most vulnerable and deserve access to the resources and support needed to thrive.
“The loss of Nigel Shelby and countless other LGBTQ+ youth who have been lost to suicide is unacceptable, and we must do everything in our power to create schools that are safe and affirming for all students. We will continue to work with advocates, policymakers, and community leaders to ensure that all students have access to safe and inclusive educational environments, free from discrimination and harassment based on race, sexual orientation, sex, or gender identity.”
