Song Featured in Upcoming ABC News ’20/20’ Special to Benefit Work of GLSEN-led National Safe Schools Partnership
NEW YORK, NY - Austin-based youth band Residual Kid will donate all proceeds from downloads of its song "Can't Take Me Away," which is featured throughout the upcoming ABC News "20/20" special on the murder of 15-year-old Lawrence "Larry" King, to the work of the GLSEN-led National Safe Schools Partnership.
The special, airing Friday, 30 September, at 10 p.m. ET, examines King's murder and the trial of classmate Brandon McInerney, who was 14 when he shot King on Feb. 12, 2008 at E.O. Green Junior High School in Oxnard, Cailf, because of King's sexual orientation and gender expression. The trial ended in a mistrial when the jury couldn't decide whether to find McInerney guilty of involuntary manslaughter, second-degree murder or first-degree murder.
"GLSEN is honored that Residual Kid will donate proceeds from 'Can't Take Me Away' to benefit the work of the National Safe Schools Partnership," GLSEN Executive Director Eliza Byard said. "Ben, Deven, Grace and Max are an exceptionally talented group of young people who are sending a powerful message of support to youth who are bullied because they are different."
The National Safe Schools Partnership is an informal coalition of more than 80 leading national education, health, civil rights, disability rights, youth development and other organizations committed to ensuring that America's schools are safe for all children.
Led by GLSEN, the National Safe Schools Partnership is focused on passing the federal Safe Schools Improvement Act, a anti-bullying bill that would require schools to implement comprehensive anti-bullying policies that include protections based on the characteristics of students most often targeted for bullying, including race, religion, sexual orientation and gender identity.
Residual Kid was heartbroken by Larry's story, and band members Grace London and Max Redman, 11, Ben Redman, 12, and Deven Ivy, 13, chose to donate 100% of proceeds from downloads toward creating a world where young people are valued and respected regardless of difference.
"Can't Take Me Away is about not caring at all what people want you to do," said London, the band's lead singer. "I was angry when I wrote this song. I was mad that people were judging me and labeling me just because I didn't act like everyone else and didn't do whatever I was 'supposed' to do."
Download the song at http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/cant-take-me-away-20-20-single/id467382197.
"20/20" is also encouraging people to submit videos talking about what makes them different as part of an "I am Different" project. Upload videos at http://abcnews.go.com/2020/mailform?id=14556171
Led by GLSEN, the National Safe Schools Partnership is an informal coalition of more than 80 leading national education, health, civil rights, disability rights, youth development and other organizations committed to ensuring that America's schools are safe for all children.
Members of the National Safe Schools Partnership include the American Association of School Administrators, the National Association of Secondary School Principals, and the National Association of School Psychologists. In 2007 the National Safe Schools Partnership published federal policy recommendations in Bridging the Gap in Federal Law: Promoting Safe Schools and Improved Student Achievement by Preventing Bullying and Harassment in Our Schools.
GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network, is the leading national education organization focused on ensuring safe schools for all students. Established in 1990, GLSEN envisions a world in which every child learns to respect and accept all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression.
GLSEN seeks to develop school climates where difference is valued for the positive contribution it makes to creating a more vibrant and diverse community. For information on GLSEN's research, educational resources, public policy advocacy, student organizing programs and educator training initiatives, visit www.glsen.org.