Another gay teen suicide - RIP Jamey

Jamey Rodemeyer, a 14 year old boy from New York, is dead. He committed suicide after being bullied over his sexuality. This is such a devastating story; another young person who was bullied and received so much hate that he couldn't see another way out.

A few months ago, Jamey posted a video for The It Gets Better Project. As the bullying continued, Jamey posted several more messages on YouTube and his blog, talking about his suicidal feelings and the abuse he was experiencing. Tragically, he hid what was going on from his parents, who were supportive of him and had enrolled him in counselling. I can only imagine how it felt to find his body outside of their family home on Monday.

I'm so angry and sad about this, I don't know what else to say.  So instead of rambling on, here is an excerpt from the article on "The Telegraph" where I first read about this tragedy.

Anonymous commenters were posting abusive messages under posts Jamey had made to Formspring, a social networking site, where he continued to discuss his unhappiness.

 

"Jamie is stupid, fat, gay and ugly. He must die!," one post said. Another read: "I wouldn't care if you died. No one would. So just do it :) It would make everyone WAY more happier!"

 

In an online posting earlier this month, Jamey wrote: "I always say how bullied I am, but no one listens. What do I have to do so people will listen to me?"

 

The day before, he wrote: "No one in my school cares about preventing suicide" and reminded his readers that it was national suicide prevention week. He then posted the lyrics to a song by the group Hollywood Undead, which read: "I just wanna say good bye, disappear with no one knowing".

 

On Sunday, Jamey made two final posts to one of his blogs – one saying he was looking forward to seeing his late great grandmother, and another in tribute to Lady Gaga, his favourite singer, who inspired him with her anthem to self-confidence "Born This Way". His body was found on Monday.

- Jon Swaine, New York (The Telegraph)

You can read the full article by clicking here: Boy, 14, found dead over gay bullying

Please spread the word about this most recent and devastating teen suicide.

Below I've listed a number of resources and helplines available to teens facing bullying, and LGBTQ youth in particular.  Please support these organizations however you can, whether by donating funds, taking a pledge or simply sharing a link to their site.

Thank you.

- Candice

YouthLine(Canadian) - 1 800 268 9688

PFLAG Canada

The It Gets Better Project

The Trevor Project (US) - 1 866 488 7386

PostSecret (not an LGBT specific site, but definitely excellent)

GLAAD

Sex Ed Central - Education Central

OH NO, TV can turn our kids GAY?!?!

Warning:  Ranting and Opinions (both mine) ahead ...

so be prepared, because I'm an ALLY, a member of PFLAG and a supporter of the "It Gets Better Project"

... I'm A-OK with Gay ;)

I'm sorry, it's just too much. I try to remain professional, distance myself emotionally and not get swept up in drama ... but I need to get this one out there.  I've read this article and have watched/listened to this video each several times.  What I REALLY don't get is ... how is it even possible that people STILL think this way?  How did this even get onto the news?!?!?!  And why do people still believe it!?!?!?!?!??!!!

Okay, deep breath.

SO -- FOX Television in Houston recently featured a debate entitled "Is TV too gay?" complete with the video below.  I'm all for healthy debate (I majored in Philosophy, after all!), but I can't even bring myself to consider this a debate.  What it really seems to be is an effort by Bryan Fisher, head of the American Family Association (aka right-wing, anti-gay) to bash Glee and make inflammatory and offensive comments about homosexuality in general.  Apparently, Mr. Fisher is concerned that youth who view Glee are going to head down a very dark and dangerous path ...

His exact words: "homosexual behavior is just as risky and just as dangerous as injection drug use."

I had to listen to that a few times to make sure I had heard it correctly.  I've linked to the video below so you can be sure too.

I'm not going to spend more time ranting and raving ... I'm sure you've gathered my opinion, so now it's time to form your own!  Below is a link to a well-written article discussing the "debate" and some of the resulting backlash.  As well, I've added in the video of the FOX Houston clip.

And if you decide that you want to support Glee and the openness to human sexuality and human diversity that they espouse, please head over to the GLAAD (Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) website and add your name to the petition.  Thank you!

Article: Fox affiliate: Is "Glee" turning our kids gay?

Video:

Is TV Too Gay?: MyFoxHOUSTON.com