If a classmate or school employee is treating you or your child in such a way that it interferes with your education or that creates a hostile environment at school or school-sponsored events, then there are specific steps that you or your child may take to ensure the school administration will appropriately respond to stop this behavior.

Familiarize yourself with your school district's anti-bullying policy. This should be found on the district's webpage under policies.

If you are not out to your parents, it may be more difficult to resolve the situation if the administrators are not supportive. But the North Carolina School Violence Prevention Act prohibits harassment based on actual or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity so you may emphasize this. Find a teacher or guidance counselor who can serve as an ally in your conversations with your administration.

If your school has a GSA, strategize with members and the faculty advisor about how best to deal with bullying and uncomfortable
situations.

Purchase a small notebook to record bullying incidents.

Write down a description of the incident as soon after it occurs as possible so you don't forget any of the details.
Include:

1. the time and day
2. exact location
3. what happened quoting exact words if possible
4. your response
5. names of who was involved
6. names of witnesses
7. names of school employees that you have spoken to and their response
   1. If you do not recognize the person(s) involved, look for them in old yearbooks. If you still cannot identify the person, try to describe the person's clothing, height, skin color, and hair color as well as you can. Many schools have hidden video cameras and the administration may be able to identify the person with your detailed description.

After an incident, write a letter to the principal stating what has occurred giving as many details as possible. Include the names of school employees or private counselors that you have spoken with about this harassment. Use a professional tone (no swear or slang words, except when quoting someone else) stating that this behavior is creating a hostile learning environment and describe how the bullying makes you feel.
Example letter:

Dear Principal Jones,
Every day before and after 3rd period, I experience harassment on the basis of my sexual orientation. In the boys' locker room, Bob Bailey calls me a faggot and tells me not to look at him each day. I have responded by ignoring and avoiding looking at him; however, this behavior is creating a hostile learning environment in which I have increasingly felt unsafe. I told my P.E. teacher Mr. Smith about the name-calling. He replied by saying 'boys will be boys.' Could you intervene in some way so that I can safely dress for P.E.? I would be happy to discuss this incident further. My parents have requested that they be present for any meetings you and I have.

Respectfully,
Fred Hall, 9th grader
fredh@.....

The principal or a vice principal will probably talk to you about your letter. If you feel more comfortable talking with your parents, guardians, or other close adult present, request their presence. You may find writing down what you want to say to be helpful. Remember to be polite taking deep breathes if you get emotionally upset so that you avoid emotionally charged language, swear words, and name-calling. Use respectful words when describing school employees and classmates. Afterwards, write in your notebook a description of the conversation.

If the harassment continues and it does not seem like the school administration has intervened, write a second letter to the principal and report the harassment to Safe Schools NC  and ACLU of North Carolina. Both organizations can advise you about language, local allies within the school district, and lawsuit possibilities.

If the harassment continues without adequate school intervention, write a letter to the superintendent and confer with Safe Schools NC and ACLU of North Carolina.

Remember, sometimes in unfortunate cases, a school will take the appropriate measures to stop bullying but the harassment continues. In these cases, speaking with the ACLU or a private lawyer may help determine your next steps.