D.C. Office of Human Rights to take part in anti-bullying virtual town hall

Mayor Vincent Gray signs the Youth Bullying Prevention Act of 2012. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The D.C. Office of Human Rights is among the organizations that will join federal agencies on Friday for an anti-bullying virtual town hall meeting.

“We are looking forward to sharing with a national audience the great work of our Youth Bullying Prevention Task Force, which is working hard to develop a District-wide model anti-bullying policy,” Gustavo Velasquez, director of the Office of Human Rights, told the Washington Blade. “Our office is always looking for innovative ways to better the experiences of residents and visitors in the District, and this Twitter town hall is an exciting approach.”

The Trevor Project and the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network are among the LGBT advocacy groups that will take part in the town hall that will coincide with National Safe Schools Day.

Mayor Vincent Gray in June signed a bill that requires city agencies that work directly with young people to implement an anti-bullying policy. It also established the task force that includes D.C. Public Schools, the Metropolitan Police Department, the Mayor’s Office on GLBT Affairs, GLSEN and the Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League.