In recent months the main stream media has been picking up more stories involving gay teens committing suicide over bullying. From seventh graders to college students, the epidemic does not seem to be going away.
Over the last decade, there has been an increase in tolerance and acceptance for gay teens. Mostly through positive role models, in particular the entertainment industry. Stars like Ellen DeGeneres, Neil Patrick Harris, Jane Lynch, Adam Lambert, Sean Hayes, and Ricky Martin all live openly gay lives and it seems that their peers and their fans accept them without question. Why with positive role models, greater acceptance and tolerance, are gay teens committing suicide?
Bullying of these teens caused them to commit suicide? I would like to call this bullying what it really is; A HATE CRIME, pure and simple. Bullying to me is teasing someone because they are not good in sports, taking a child’s lunch money (it happened to me), or just not being part of the “in” crowd in school. Singling someone out because of their sexual orientation is a hate crime; motivated by fear and hatred towards that person or group of people.
Tyler Clementi, Justin Aaberg, Billy Lucas, Asher Brown, and Seth Walsh all committed suicide because of hate crimes. Tyler was secretly broadcast over the internet with his partner by his college roommate. Justin Aaberg and Billy Lucas hung themselves after being tormented by their peers. Asher Brown shot himself after a year and a half of torment that progressed even after his parent informed the school board when it first started and nothing was done. Seth Walsh attempted to hang himself in his backyard after years of emotional and mental abuse from peers, he later died in hospital.
Jamey Rodemeyer from Buffalo committed suicide due to bullying and torment from peers in his school. After his death the bullying has not stopped, and presently there is a police investigation into the harassment of his sister and family. Please join the campaign for Jamey’s Law to protect people from this type of bullying. www.facebook.com/Jameyslaw?sk=info
I have to wonder what the parents think of their children’s behavior. Do they worry that someday their child will be a victim of a hate crime, or do they just blindly think that they will grow out of it. I have news for you; fear and hatred are learned behaviors. There are days I am ashamed to be part of the human race, today is one of those days.
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