UB's Anti-Bullying Center Presents Program in Support of Gay and Transgendered Youth

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The University at Buffalo's Jean M. Alberti Center for the Prevention of Bullying Abuse and School Violence will sponsor a colloquium in support of gay and transgendered youth at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, in 120 Clemens Hall on UB's North Campus.

The colloquium will feature Amy Reynolds, associate professor in the Department of Counseling, School and Educational Psychology in UB's Graduate School of Education.

"UB's Jean M. Alberti Center for the Prevention of Bullying Abuse and School Violence plans to offer four colloquia annually to highlight the research being conducted on school bullying, violence and varied related subjects," says Amanda B. Nickerson, director of the center. "We are fortunate to be affiliated with talented faculty member like Dr. Reynolds, who will speak on the important topic of 'Supporting LGBT Youth in Our Community: Words and Actions Matter.'"

"Incidents of school bullying targeting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth have received national attention in the past two years," according to Reynolds. "Increased attention to the problem and its profound effect on LGBT youth (depression, poor school attendance and high suicide risk, among other effects) is essential if we want to be able to ensure safe schools for all students."

One of Reynolds' primary interest areas is multicultural competence in counseling and student affairs. She focuses heavily on this topic in her scholarly work, including a recent qualitative study examining the positive and negative high school experiences of LGB college students. Reynolds also teaches the multicultural counseling course in the Department of Counseling, School and Educational Psychology at UB. She received her doctorate in counseling psychology from Ohio State University.

"This colloquium will highlight the realities of anti-LGBT bullying, share strategies for combating anti-LGBT attitudes and bullying, identify competencies needed by school personnel to address these issues and discuss next steps for creating safe schools," says Reynolds.

The colloquium will end about 12:45 p.m. Participants are encouraged to bring a brown bag lunch. Light refreshments will be provided.

Those interested in attending are asked to register by sending an email to alberticenter@buffalo.edu.

Founded in the summer of 2011, UB's Alberti Center for the Prevention of Bullying Abuse and School Violence already has become a national center to promote positive and healthy school environments where bullying, harassment and other types of abuse can be prevented. Since becoming center director, Nickerson has been consulted and quoted in a wide variety of media on bullying and its effect on victims. She also has spoken on current anti-bullying research to parents, young people, school administrators, teachers and other scholars.

A video interview with Nickerson is available here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5nUZOUbFHk.