Teen Commits Suicide due to Gay Bullying — Page 2

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

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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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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

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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).

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50 Cent weighs in

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

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

Did Tyler Clementi Reach Out for Help Before Suicide?

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

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