Emily Cullen, a sophomore at Northbridge High School and president of the Gay Straight Alliance club, brought the Wayside Clothesline Project to the school. The public is invited Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m.

Photo Credit: Deborah Gauthier

Judi Earnest, a counselor with Wayside Youth and Family, helps hang T-shirts in the lobby of Northbridge High School which will be open to the public on Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m.

Photo Credit: Deborah Gauthier

NORTHBRIDGE, Mass. – The Gay Straight Alliance Club at Northbridge High School, in its second year, is at the toddler stage. But its founder, 15-year-old Emily Cullen, has faith that the club’s message will help it grow strong and healthy in the coming years.

Cullen, daughter of Karen and Thomas Cullen, has already experienced the complicated and sometimes violent issues life can bring. And she also has firsthand knowledge of the damage bullying and name-calling will have on the mental health and well-being of a child.

Instead of staying silent, Cullen is speaking out and encouraging others to do the same by participating in the Wayside Clothesline Project.

Until Friday, a few hundred colorful T-shirts will hang in the lobby of the High School on Linwood Avenue, important messages on every one. Every day, students will be encouraged to write a message on a shirt, either for themselves or in support of someone they know who has experienced violence.

Each T-shirt color has a meaning, explained Wayside Counselor Judi Earnest. White signifies the violent death of a woman or child; red, orange or pink, rape and sexual assault; blue and green, incest and child sexual abuse; yellow and beige, domestic violence; purple, hate crimes and homophobia; black, cult, ritual abuse.

A few of those messages: “We shouldn’t have to teach how to cope with rape.” “Don’t be ashamed.  It’s in no way your fault. Just stay strong and follow your heart.“  “It’s Because of YOU she is dead inside. Where did I go wrong.” “I am strong & beautiful and you did not BREAK ME.’’

And on Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m., members of the community are invited to show their support for the students and the message by visiting the school.

Wayside Youth and Family Support Network, based in Milford, began the Clothesline Project in 1999, and now has hundreds of T-shirts that are displayed at high schools and town commons throughout the Blackstone Valley.

This is the first time in Northbridge, however, and that is due to the hard work and insistence of Cullen, Earnest said.

“She’s (Cullen) the whole reason they’re here,’’ said club adviser Elena Batchelder. Coincidentally, she noted, “it is also no name-calling day’’ which is being celebrated state-wide at the request of Gov. Deval Patrick.

It is also the first time a school display has been opened to the community.

“We love the idea of opening it up the community,’’ said Louise Cabral, prevention outreach coordinator as she and a team set up the display Wednesday morning.

Cullen said she presented the idea of the Wayside Clothesline Project to club members who voted in support.

Though NHS had a GSA Club a few years ago, it wasn’t active, Cullen said. A new adviser, one who insists the club do a different project every month for the visibility, is making all the difference.

Cullen also believes the message of the GSA, one of tolerance and not just for gays, will draw membership. “It’s all about getting people to tolerate any differences,’’ she said. “Kids are dying from it now,’’ Cullen said of the name-calling and bullying. “It needs to be stopped.’’

She encourages anyone in the school community, gay or straight, to join the club and spread the message of tolerance.

Cullen is very open about why she is involved.

“My mother is gay,’’ she said. “She came out when I was 6 and ended an 18-year marriage.’’ Her father is remarried and has been very supportive. Her mother has also had partner for many years.

She is also involved because of a brother, now 22, who came out as a  transgender when he was 16. “He has trust issues and is very shaky,’’ she said, which she attributes to “all the bullying her went through in high school.’’

Lastly, she is involved because she was raped a year ago, by a 19-year-old friend of a cousin. Her assailant is now serving 2-1/2 years in prison.

It is because of Wayside that she is comfortable talking about the experience.

“The Clothesline Project really helped me,’’ she said. “I want people to know that other people have gone through it.’’

Cullen said she waited two weeks before telling her mother about the rape. “I was with a friend and I was drinking. I couldn’t even admit it to myself,’’ she said.

Her advice other students trying to navigate through high school is to make the right decisions (she no longer drinks alcohol), have the right friends, and a support system.

For more information on Wayside, visit www.waysideyouth.org.