Presiding Officer Gregory Joins LGBT Network to Discuss Rise of Harassment in Schools, Workplaces

LongIsland.com

Gregory: "Today, on National Coming Out Day, we send a message that there is no room for hate in this world."

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(L to R): LGBT Network community educator Aaron Braun, Suffolk County Legislature Presiding Officer DuWayne Gregory, LGBT Network President/CEO David Kilmnick.

Photo by: Office of Presiding Officer DuWayne Gregory.

Hauppauge, NY - October 12, 2017 - In honor of National Coming Out Day, Suffolk County Legislature Presiding Officer DuWayne Gregory, center, joined LGBT Network President/CEO David Kilmnick, at a press conference today to discuss the steady rise of LGBT harassment in schools and the workplace.
 
Recent studies report that nearly two-thirds of LGBT employees have heard discriminatory comments in the workplace and over 85 percent of LGBT students report verbal harassment in their schools. Aaron Braun, a community educator at the LGBT Network, shared his story of experiencing mistreatment in the workplace.
 
Today, more than 250,000 Long Islanders have pledged to stand together in support of LGBT individuals and promote safe spaces.
 
“We are living in a divisive political climate that is reaching every corner of our country,” said Presiding Officer Gregory, an LGBT parent. “Here in Suffolk County, we are seeing an uptick in hate group activity. Today, on National Coming Out Day, we send a message that there is no room for hate in this world. Every single person deserves to feel safe in their homes, in their schools, and in their workplaces, no matter their sexual orientation – or for that matter, color of their skin, ethnicity, or religion.”