Teen Commits Suicide due to Gay Bullying- Page 2

[boardwalker2]

Posted: 9/29/10 at 8:39pm

I have a whole new respect for Perez Hilton.

These stories always affect me the same way -

First I cry, then I get mad, then I cry some more. My heart breaks for these kids and their families.

How the hell it is that we can spend billions of $$'s on a war half way around the world, in part so people can live freely, while the most basic of rights - rights guaranteed to all American citizens are denied and violated every hour of everyday right here in our own country. The hypocrisy is mind-boggling.

RIP Tyler and all the Tyler's in the world. May your families find solice in the knowledge that there are people who really do care. I keep you and your families in my thoughts and prayers.

Hopefully, one day soon this madness will stop.

[Luscious]

Posted: 9/29/10 at 8:49pm

Dan Savage has launched a YouTube channel where gay adults submit video messages to LGBT teens, relaying their own experiences and letting them know that "it gets better".

"Billy Lucas in Indiana, Cody Barker in Wisconsin, Justin Aaberg in Minnesota—these three boys and countless other LGBT kids have committed suicide because they couldn't picture a future for themselves."

"That's why my boyfriend and I launched the It Gets Better Project, a slightly grand name for a YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/itgetsbetterproject). We made a short video about our lives—the harassment we endured in school, the full and rewarding lives we enjoy now—and invited other LGBT adults to make and upload videos about their lives. The response has been completely overwhelming: thousands of members, hundreds of thousands of views, and more than 100 videos from people all over the world sharing their stories, all in an effort to let bullied and isolated and unhappy LGBT kids know that it gets better."

It Gets Better

[uncageg]

Posted: 9/29/10 at 9:29pm

Just saw the report on Tyler this evening. I have been literally pacing my apartment in anger. As stated before, this has to stop.

[misschung]

Posted: 9/29/10 at 10:24pm

So sad. Those poor kids, ugh.

I almost feel silly for saying this, but it's odd so see such nice words written by Perez Hilton. He's not exactly an accepting, warm person himself. Or at least that's not the type of persona he portrays on his blog.

[siny]

Posted: 9/29/10 at 10:42pm

While I hope those 2 creeps get punished to the full extent of the law, I am still puzzled why the kid would commit suicide. The encounter was broadcast on iChat, so it's highly unlikely that anyone who knew him would just happen to see the clip. IF he was in the closet, this would not out him. Perhaps they were trying to blackmail him - then it would make sense.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 9/29/10 at 10:55pm

Apparently the college student who committed suicide over the iChat broadcast was the same guy that posted a thread on JUB asking for help with the situation, which is really creepy because I remember reading the thread and being crushed that I couldn't really offer any good advice.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 9/29/10 at 11:13pm

I am still puzzled why the kid would commit suicide.

Suicide in and of itself is not a "logical" act. There's no need to puzzle why it happened but rather mourn not only the fact that it did happen but that these people saw humor in the situation.

It was just reported on NBC10 in Philadelphia that a body has been recovered but the identity has not been released.
Student's apparent suicide linked to webcast of sexual encounter

[uncageg]

Posted: 9/29/10 at 11:19pm

Even in this day and age where teens and adults have so many resources, for various reasons they don't use them. You never know what has happened in a persons life or the fear they have about coming out. Something like a video could absolutely devastate someone who is not out to the point of taking their own lives.

[uncageg]

Posted: 9/29/10 at 11:52pm

Focus on the Family has weighed in....

http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_15928224

Updated On: 9/30/10 at 11:52 PM

[Kad]

Posted: 9/30/10 at 1:35am

A bit misleading, since that's from a few weeks ago. But it's certainly extremely distasteful now(not that it wasn't distasteful when it was first published).

Focus on the Family should focus on... you know... all those broken straight homes, with kids who have a mother and a father who are abusive.

[uncageg]

Posted: 9/30/10 at 1:54am

Misleading in what way?

[Kad]

Posted: 9/30/10 at 2:02am

Your post seemed to implied it was directly about these two recent tragedies.

[uncageg]

Posted: 9/30/10 at 2:17am

Taken care of. I actually didn't pay attention to the date on the article, someone posted it on my Facebook page this evening, but I didn't mean for it to be misleading but be it either before or after the recent incidents, they still had something to say about it.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 9/30/10 at 11:24am

I just walked into the break room here at work to get some water and I happened to catch the ladies at the view discussing this.

Elizabeth made some comments about how technology is growing faster than parents are able to teach their kids about it. Whoopi and Sherri discussed how there is no privacy anymore thanks to reality tv and youtube. Whoopi also mentioned that she hopes that this will send a message to those who think the "mean girls" behavior will be seen as less acceptable going forward.

It's just a sad, sad thing. I'm hoping this will also make educators and parents take a longer look at bullying. Not just gay bullying but all of it. I wonder how many straight kids have killed themselves or tried to kill themselves because of it. It's a universal issue that needs to be looked at even harder now that there are so many more outlets to use (facebook, myspace, twitter, etc). It can't be ignored or encouraged (my third grade teacher encouraged it).

[uncageg]

Posted: 9/30/10 at 12:16pm

I just watched it a few minutes ago. I agree with what was said.

Updated On: 9/30/10 at 12:16 PM

[Calvin]

Posted: 9/30/10 at 3:32pm

50 Cent weighs in

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 9/30/10 at 3:36pm

That really should have had "no homo" at the end of it.

[uncageg]

Posted: 9/30/10 at 3:36pm

I just lost all respect for 50 Cent that I had gained over the past few years for the good things he has done.

Updated On: 9/30/10 at 03:36 PM

[tazber]

Posted: 9/30/10 at 3:41pm

A dispicable and loathsome tweet.

50 cent can suck on a gun barrel.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 9/30/10 at 4:12pm

Did Tyler Clementi Reach Out for Help Before Suicide?

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 9/30/10 at 4:20pm

Are we sure, though, that he's not admonishing straight men who just don't eat ****?

[Reginald Tresilian]

Posted: 9/30/10 at 4:23pm

I actually do think he meant straight men.

But given the recent spate of tragedies--WHICH ARE ALL OVER THE NEWS--it's still sickeningly insensitive.
Updated On: 9/30/10 at 04:23 PM

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 9/30/10 at 4:28pm

I can't believe I forgot I couldn't type out PUSSY!

[uncageg]

Posted: 9/30/10 at 4:42pm

Phyllis, I'm laughing! Can you hear me?!

[Reginald Tresilian]

Posted: 9/30/10 at 4:44pm

The twitterverse apparently takes 50 Cent's tweet to refer to gay men.

And they may well be right.