Anti-Bullying Conference Focuses On Safety For GLBT Students

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- School leaders throughout the state put their heads together Friday to address bullying.

A conference at Hamline University focused on how to make a safer environment for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students. Those involved also spent time talking about the issues facing gay athletes.

A Breck hockey player, who came out his senior year, said he wants others to know it's okay to come out.

"I was actually expecting that I would be bullied, that I would be teased, that jokes were going to be made," said Nick Kleidon.
"Surprisingly, I was able to come out to open arms, to friends, to colleagues, to teachers who would accept me."

He also wanted other to know that coming out is "not that hard."

"No matter how hard their path seems, no matter how hard they think it is to come out, it's not going to be that hard," he said.

The conference was sponsored by P-FLAG Twin Cities.

People at the conference say Minnesota is ahead of the curve in keeping gay students safe, but more can always be done.