Teachers at Bay Area schools support LGBT students with badge

OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) -- Some teachers and staff at Oakland schools started wearing special badges aimed at making life easier for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students.

Students ceremoniously put the badges on school staff. The badges say "Out for Safe Schools."

They will be worn by school personnel who are willing to help out gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender teens when they need someone to talk to.

"I have been repressed about telling the teachers about a problem that I have had related to the LGBT and now considering that the teachers would identify themselves as an ally, gives me a certain relief and I'm sure would give others a relief that are in the same community," said Oakland High School junior Jesus Valencia Ramirez.

Oakland and San Francisco are among eight school districts nationwide that are launching the Out for Safe Schools badges.