04/24/2008
Larry King Tapes 'Day of Silence' PSA for Lawrence 'Larry' King
Tomorrow is GLSEN's 12th annual Day of Silence. Students from more than 6,800 schools across the nation are expected to take part by taking a vow of silence to raise awareness about anti-LGBT bullying and harassment. This year's observance has been dedicated to 14-year-old Lawrence King, who most of you know was shot and killed by one of his classmates on February 12th, because he was gay.
CNN host Larry King, who shares a name with the young victim, recorded a PSA for GLSEN (Watch it, AFTER THE JUMP). Says King in the spot: “Larry King and I share more in common than just our names. We both believe that all students should be free to be themselves without the fear of name calling, bullying or harassment."
GLSEN president Kevin Jennings told E!'s Marc Malkin that King did not hesitate when asked to record the PSA. "Larry King helps us reach the kind of mainstream audience he speaks to every night. "I don’t necessarily see this as a YouTube phenomenon, but I see this reaching a much more traditional audience."
Malkin reports that T.R. Knight is also participating in the Day of Silence ceremony at the Miguel Contreras Learning Complex in Los Angeles.
King joins Lance Bass, who released a PSA last week.
Watch King's clip, AFTER THE JUMP...
Recent Lawrence King news
Gay Coalition Calls for Lawrence King Killer to be Tried as Juvenile [tr]
Amazing Race's Kynt & Vyxsin to Sit with Lawrence King Classroom [tr]
LOGO Airs Celebrity PSA Response to Lawrence King Murder [tr]
Posted 7:11 AM EST by Andy in Bullying, GLSEN, Lance Bass, Larry King, Lawrence King, News, T.R. Knight | Permalink
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I am proud of LK for doing this.
Posted by: Cincinnati NAMjA | Apr 24, 2008 8:25:49 AM
Very well done and powerful.
Posted by: TonyG | Apr 24, 2008 9:13:24 AM
very powerful!
Posted by: Fab | Apr 24, 2008 9:41:50 AM
I would LOVE to see and more unscheduled and unsolicited PSA; everyone tomorrow is going to take to the airwaves about Sakia Gunn, Michael Sandy, Roberto Duncanson and countless others; then poof all gone.
If you are committed to your words then you walk the walk and talk the talk; every chance that you get.
1. During a commercial of Monday Night Football
2. During NASCAR, while rounding lap 125
3. During a Hockey Game, preferable in New York
Any place where visibility and a voice are lacking that is where you should “take a stand”.
Posted by: Charles | Apr 24, 2008 10:07:24 AM
Now if only Anderson Cooper would do a PSA for the Day of Silence...silence appears to be he strong suit anyhow.
Posted by: Andalusian Dog | Apr 24, 2008 11:39:34 AM
Bravo to Larry King-- the TV personality-- and long may we remember Larry King, the young boy who was out and proud; my partner and I recently gave a discussion at the community college where I teach about Larry King's death and the harassment and bullying of GLBTQ kids.
Posted by: rob | Apr 24, 2008 11:41:16 AM
there are very few things that take my breath away. the connection that larry king made to lawrence king is one of them.
Posted by: nic | Apr 24, 2008 2:23:40 PM