Issue link: http://hvparent.uberflip.com/i/468715
12 Hudson Valley Parent ■ March 2015 3. Join with other parents De Muro stresses that parents are not going through this alone. She says that it is important to reach out to organizations that can help support you. The day after her con- versation with Tyler, she went to her first Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays meeting. She also says that the Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network helped her navi- gate the school years. 4. Get proactive and educate others De Muro went to the principal of Tyler's school over the summer to discuss ways the school could be supportive. She says she didn't want to go in after the fact because of a problem. As a result, a Gay Straight Alliance was formed at the school. She tries to educate her own circle of friends, too. She says that occasionally she will see a meme on Facebook that includes a gay slur. She tells those who posted it to imagine putting Tyler's name in there, hoping to personalize it and show how hurtful such things can be. She reminds people that we all play a role: the bully, the bullied, or the bystander. "If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem." Wynkoop became an advocate. In the past, she has served on the board of GLSEN and was a staff advisor for the Synthesis club at Rondout Valley High School. Recently she saw two boys walking down the hall holding hands. These weren't students who attended Synthesis, but they felt comfortable enough to walk togeth- er showing affection. "What we're doing is making a difference." Dawn Green is a freelance writer and a mom to two boys in Saugerties. LGBT TEENS (Continued from Page 11) 8QLYHUVLW\/HYHO3HGLDWULF*DVWURHQWHURORJ\ LQWKH0LG+XGVRQ9DOOH\ +%G&3>G%&0,3% Puneet Gupta, MBBS, MD Pediatric Gastroenterologist >0&G0&G9G0& %G!G%% G%0-%"E&0% >0&G!G>% <*!%,;!G%% 0>&£!G%% 0GG 7UHDWLQJ 845-896-0736 DigestiveDiseaseNY.com Locations in Poughkeepsie and Fishkill • Now with Late Evening and Weekend Hours! 2 e take pride in providing quality, individualized, and personal care in a truly warm and friendly environment. 465 E Main Street Middletown, NY 10940 (845) 343-8212 BRACES AND INVISALIGN FOR CHILDREN, TEENS, AND ADULTS. Dr. Pachter is a Board Certifi ed Orthodontic Specialist and a Preferred Provider for Invisalign.