On the week of Spirit Day, violent anti-LGBTQ hate flyers posted around Cleveland State University encouraged LGBTQ students to harm themselves

This past Monday violent anti-LGBTQ fliers encouraging LGBTQ students to commit suicide were hung up on the main campus of Cleveland State University on the same day they were slated to open an LGBTQ resource center for students.

According to ABC News5 in Cleveland, the flier depicts an illustration of a man with a rope tied around his neck. It also gives statistics of what it claims are suicide rates among the LGBTQ community. It also says in bold letters, “Follow your fellow *expletive*.”

The university argued that this was a matter for free speech saying they are “committed to upholding the First Amendment, even with regard to controversial issues where opinion is divided.”  A CSU spokesperson event went as far as to say they fliers “would still be up if the person had followed the proper procedure to post a notice.”

“Bullying and violent hate speech intended to harm, intimidate and silence LGBTQ people has no place in a school setting,” said Sarah Kate Ellis, President and CEO of GLAAD. “CSU officials need to strongly condemn this flier and immediately take steps to ensure LGBTQ students are safe on campus. The LGBTQ community faces attacks from their peers, family members, bosses, public officials, all the way up to the White House. It has never been more important to rise up and support LGBTQ youth tomorrow on Spirit Day and throughout the year.” 

Tweets by GLAAD on October 18, 2017

Tomorrow, October 19, is Spirit Day, an international call for people to speak out against the LGBTQ bullying and show their support for LGBTQ youth by taking wearing purple or going purple on social media.

Celebrities, organizations and television shows elevating this important issue include Celine Dion, Halsey, Jimmy Kimmel, Britney Spears, Wanda Sykes, Christina Aguilera, PFLAG, Do Something, National Center for Trans Equality, Will and Grace, Entertainment Tonight, The View, and Access Hollywood.