Please Sign the Petition! Drop charges against transgender teen defending herself!

My sister, Jewlyes Gutierrez, is a 16 year old teenager, who identifies as a transgender female. Her gender identity has caused her to be a victim of taunting, harassment, and bullying by her peers.  On November 13, 2013, Jewlyes defended herself against three girls who were tormenting and then physically attacked her. This was captured on video and you can see Jewlyes trying to run away. The students involved were suspended but to our disbelief, District Attorney Daniel Cabral then filed charges against Jewlyes for battery - she's the only one charged.

Jewlyes should not be charged criminally. Rather, this altercation should be the responsibility of the school district, who should take proper action and implement the necessary resources to prevent incidents like these from happening again.  

One of the girls who attacked Jewlyes had repeated bullied her - even spitting gum in her face. Jewlyes sought help from the assistant principal in fear of her physical safety but the issue was not properly addressed, no necessary action was taken by the administration. The bullying continued.

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Mom asks courts to help protect son from bullying at school

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WHAS11) — A Jefferson County mother is asking the courts to force her son’s school to protect him from what she said is continuous bullying.

Bekishia Cosby, whose son attends Olmsted North Middle School, claims teachers and administrative staff are negligent by not protecting her son from being bullied by fellow classmates.

Cosby said she wants the courts to issue a protective order to ensure the staff will watch over her son at school.

Several months ago, Cosby filed a lawsuit against her son's former school, Thomas Jefferson Middle School.  The lawsuit names Thomas Jefferson principal principal, eight other JCPS staff members and nine minors.

A sworn affidavit states the boy, identified as BB, tried to commit suicide last year while at Thomas Jefferson because classmates bullied him for his perceived sexual orientation. According to the affidavit, when BB started at Olmsted the physical threats, name calling, and harassment continued.

The family's attorney said JCPS needs to fully enforce its zero bullying policy, that’s why they want the court issue a protection order. Attorney Ted Gordon said protection for BB would include suspensions and making sure the accused bullies have no contact with BB. 

A judge will hear the motion in court Friday at 11 a.m.

Source:  Brittany Gonzalez -- WHAS11.com

Bullied girl, whose brother wrote viral letter to Santa, surprised by favorite band

When Karen Suffern, a single mom from Rocky Mount, N.C., asked her 8-year-old twins to write a letter to Santa with their Christmas wishes over the weekend, she expected to see toys, books and clothes on the list.

Instead, Suffern was shocked to see a heartfelt request from her son, Ryan, that Santa Claus step in and put an end to the bullying suffered by his twin sister, Amber.

“Dear Santa … I wanted a [remote control] car and helicopter, but I don’t want that any mor. Kid at school are still picking on Amber and its not fair because she doesnt do anything to them … ,” Ryan wrote. “I prayed that they will stop but god is bisy and needs your help.

“Is it against the rules to give gift early?” he wrote.

“Ryan handed me his and told me not to read it so of course I read it to find out what he wanted,” Suffern told ABCNews.com. “That’s when I realized and thought, ‘Oh, my gosh.’”

Read Entire Story by clicking HERE

Source:  ABC News; WHAS Louisville

UPDATE

The third grade girl, who suffered bullying at school, was star struck when her idols walked out and serenaded her with a special performance, bringing a much-needed smile to her face.

The story started when the twins' mother, Karen Suffern, from Rocky Mount, N.C., asked her 8-year-old twins to write a letter to Santa with their Christmas wishes over the weekend. She expected to see toys, books and clothes on the list and was shocked to see the heartfelt request from her son for Santa Claus to step in and put an end to his sister's bullying.

"Dear Santa … I wanted a [remote control] car and helicopter, but I don't want that any mor. Kid at school are still picking on Amber and its not fair because she doesnt do anything to them … ," Ryan wrote. "I prayed that they will stop but god is bisy and needs your help.

"Is it against the rules to give gift early?" he wrote.

"Ryan handed me his and told me not to read it so of course I read it to find out what he wanted," Suffern said. "That's when I realized and thought, 'Oh, my gosh.'"

Ryan didn't stop there. He also asked for his sister to meet her favorite band.

Click HERE to Read Entire Story and to Watch the Video


Source:  ABC News; WHAS Louisville