Following his MoveOn.org success getting StudentsFirst to rescind its 'education reformer of the year' award from anti-gay Tennessee State Representative John Ragan, Marcel Neergaard was named 'Foot Soldier of the Week' on the Melissa Harris-Perry show.
Harris-Perry briefly outlined his story in the segment, but posted a longer interview with Marcel on her web site. Marcel launched a petition on June 1, asking StudentsFirst to strip Rep. Ragan of the honor, as well as support anti-bullying legislation. By June 5, StudentsFirst issued a statement saying that they 'stood with Marcel' and would be doing all that he asked of them. By then, the petition had gathered over 53,000 signatures.
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Melissa Harris-Perry received a GLAAD Media Award this year in the Outstanding TV Journalism – Newsmagazine category, for a segment entitled "Being Transgender in America."
Marcel has said that he is happy with his success, but he really wants to end bullying in schools. GLAAD will continue to work with Marcel to address anti-gay bullying in schools.
Graphic is by Scott Wooledge of Memeographs.