Remembering Tyler Clementi 10 Years Later via a Virtual Symposium

Thank you to my alma mater, Rutgers University, and their Division of Diversity, Inclusion, & Community Engagement's Tyler Clementi Center for Diversity Education & Bias Prevention, for marking the 10th anniversary of Tyler Clementi's passing by hosting a mind-expanding Tyler Clementi Symposium on LGBTQ+ identity and mental health, entitled: “Life After the Closet: Enduring Shame at the End of Privacy”. Tyler's death sparked local and national conversations about sexuality, cyber-harassment, safety, and inclusion within and beyond college campuses. He passed away five years after I graduated. For a long time after that, I grabbled with how something so heinous could happen at my school...but it did. What Rutgers did in response restored my pride.

Special thanks to Tyler's incredibly resilient and courageous mother, Jane Clementi, and new Rutgers President, Jonathan Holloway, for his visionary leadership and support in these most challenging times. You both inspire us to Generate Buzz. Thanks also to the esteemed panelists: Mignon Moore, Perry Halkitis, and Ellen Short, as well as to all those who tuned in to listen to these critical messages about the role and complexities of "the closet", both protective and oppressive, the shame gay men have experienced across generations, the consequences of a lack of privacy, and the way that socially oppressed individuals can shift experiences, revealing the cost and utility of "the closet".

The Tyler Clementi Foundation is a non-profit founded by Tyler's family in 2011, one year after the 18 year old Rutgers freshman tragically died by suicide after learning his date with another young man had been live-streamed by his roommate. The foundation works tirelessly to end online and offline bullying in schools, workplaces, & faith communities. To learn more visit: tylerclementi.org/tylers-story-tcf.

The Tyler Clementi Center for Diversity Education & Bias Prevention was founded in 2013 at Rutgers University - New Brunswick campus. The Center serves as a campus resource promoting understanding and engagement to build an inclusive campus community. It uniquely blends a research focus among scholars, practitioners, & thought leaders with educational outreach initiatives targeting faculty and staff, to ensure every student has a positive college experience. To learn more visit: diversity.rutgers.edu/tyler-clementi-center. If you have any questions, you can contact: [email protected] or 848.932.4400.

Learn. Understand. Remember. #lifeafterthecloset

Sara Greenhouse is a dynamic connector and dedicated relationship cultivator. After a successful track record in fundraising, she founded a marketing company, Generate Buzz, LLC, in 2013. Using her superior verbal and written communication skills, the company provides a unique, cross-disciplinary integration of traditional and digital marketing. The name Generate Buzz is much more than simply a brand name; it declares Sara's passion to help small businesses achieve greater success and promote positive social change. Generate Buzz, LLC offers per diem consulting in copywriting: persuasive, creative, and comedy, as well as editing and proofing services. You can rest assured that your message will be tailored to your collateral materials and social media platforms, conveying the right message, to the right audience, through the right channels, at the right time, all with the utmost integrity and enthusiasm.

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