Even After Filming Video, It Got So Much Worse for Bullied Buffalo Gay Teen That He Killed Himself :: EDGE Los Angeles

Jamey Rodemeyer-2011

It is inconceivable that this continues to happen in our country! And yet, another teen has taken his life due to bullying in our schools. This just has to stop! "I always say how bullied I am, but no one listens," Jamey posted on Sept. 9.

14-year-old Jamey Rodemeyer blogged about being the target of homophobic bullies who harassed him online, complaining that when he tried to tell adults about the problem nothing happened, JoeMyGod and other LGBT news outlets reported on Sept. 20. The young man had made a video for the "It Gets Better" project last spring, but on Sept. 19 his parents found Jamey’s body.

Jamey has promised in his video that "It gets Better" , yet he continued to endure the harassment and bullying from his peers despite please to authorities and adults, who did not respond. IT HASN'T GOTTEN BETTER, and it won't until school administrators and parents of bullies take responsibility for their own actions. We are surround by bullies every day, each of us. If you don't think so just watch the daily Republican media monster that deluges us with anti-gay rhetoric and false assumptions. "Studies have shown that GLBT youth are more than five times as likely as heterosexual teens to engage in suicidal behavior. What’s more, researchers have found evidence that the labeling of teens as being gay is the source of the emotional pain that drives them toward suicide. " How many studies will it take? - the answer is zero! How many more teens will die because of authorities, parents and other people that are not being held accountable for their bullying actions? - a lot!

It's time to WAKE UP people and hold those responsible accountable. We are losing a generation of teens to actions that are preventable. I have added Jamey to our "Remember" page of teens lost to this gay, hate agenda in this country.

Tell Michele Bachmann: Denounce anti-gay bullying in your district.

A string of nine teen suicides has devastated Minnesota's Anoka-Hennepin School District -- the largest district in the state, which is represented by Congresswoman Michele Bachmann. Many of the suicides have been linked to students being bullied for their perceived homosexuality, which has prompted a federal investigation of the district's failure to address anti-gay harassment.

Unfortunately, Anoka-Hennepin enforces a dangerous "neutrality policy" -- a gag rule that handcuffs teachers from adequately addressing anti-gay bullying. As a congresswoman and a former Anoka-Hennepin student, Michele Bachmann is in an important position to speak out against this rule, and the tragic suicides that have lead public health officials to call the area a "suicide contagion."

Instead, Bachmann has remained totally silent on this issue. I just signed a petition to Michele Bachmann, telling her to denounce anti-gay bullying in her district. You should sign the petition, too. Click to take action if you care about our children.

To Michele Bachmann:
This has to stop! As an elected representative of the PEOPLE (not the politicians or the church) you must follow the will and direction set by the ones who elected you to your powerful position. Your lack of direction in being a leader directly impacts your race for the presidency and threatens the security and safety of many teens who are depending upon responsible leadership from parents and elected officials in all levels of their lives.

School anti-gay bullying law passed in California - PinkPaper.com

California-->progressive, behind the times, all over the place! California, finally a safer place for bullied students protected by a new law, is once again placing itself

ahead of the rest of the country having passed legislation titled ‘Seth’s law’, after Seth Walsh, a 13-year-old boy from California who committed suicide in 2010 following anti-gay bullying.

The new and legislation was passed by the state Senate on Friday. The bill, which was passed by 24 votes to 14, will require schools to address incidents of homophobic bullying and will help to equip teachers with the skills and knowledge to tackle cases of abuse relating to sexual orientation.

A second trial in gay slaying case could be risky, former D.A. says - latimes.com

Further update on the Brandon McInerney murder trial is that the DA in the case is expecting to re-try the murder case, but there is speculation that it may not end up in a conviction.

Once again, it's still fairly easy to get away with murder in this country, as long as it's a LGBT person that's killed. And this "negative background" that the defense is using is just a distraction from the real issue. Brandon openly shot and killed Lawrence King in 2008 in front of classmates with a .22 gun. He must be held accountable for that at the very least!

Prosecutor: Teen plotted Larry King's death | from 365gay.com

I've been closely following this case due to it's high profile in California, and also because of the perception that it will, most likely, set several precedents when it comes to hate crimes against gays in several ways. Thursday the prosecution has finally pointed out the obvious reason that Brandon McIlverney should be found guilty of manslaughter and hate crimes in this case.

 From testimony of a psychologist who interviewed McIlverney, it has come out that he had intentions of murdering King  (in 2008) up to four (4) days previous to the actual murder. The real issue in this case is not that he murdered King, but that it was premeditated and also a hate crime. Nazi drawings were found in his room and he holds some White Supremacy views from his upbringing. Regardless of his upbringing though, he acted upon only one statement made to him, according to two witness. That was a statement made in passing by King in the hallway apparently days before the shooting.

This obviously is a hate crime that was committed, but how the jury will feel is most likely another story. The reason I think that this has broad implications concerns not only the murder and hate crime committed, but also how the jury will make McIlverney answer for the murder. If they find him guilty of only Involuntary Manslaughter, then it might stir up more anti-gay sentiments in school settings and set the precedent for school administrators to continue their lackadaisical attitude towards gay related bullying and hate crimes in the school setting.

Something has to change in our schools when it comes to administrators and teachers looking the other way when it comes to bullying and anti-gay acts and hopefully, this will become the impetus for that change.

Psychologist: McInerney Had Well of Rage | News | The Advocate

As the defense trial of Brandon McInerney drew to a close Friday, a defense expert testified that Brandon had suffered severe mental and emotional abuse since the age of seven and had developed a wall around him that effectively shut off his emotions and allowed him to not "feel" anything when he purportedly shot Lawrence King, a classmate who was known to be gay. The psychologist testified that by being abused at such an early age by his father he was incapable of feeling anything emotionally and was, most likely, not capable of feeling remorse for shooting King. Donald Hoagland, a clinical and forensic psychologist who evaluated the defendant, according to the Ventura County Star testified, “You can’t go through life feeling like hell every moment, so you learn to shut off your feelings.”

However, if this was true, then I wonder how he could feel hatred against anyone if he had a lack of emotional responses to outside situations.

McInerney, 14 at the time of the shooting,  is being tried as an adult and could face life in prison if convicted. This case could also set some precedents for future cases of hate crimes and violence towards others, in addition to LGBTQ students, and could lead to a forced change of laws regarding how administrators and teachers handle school bullying and anti-gay incidents.

We certainly hope so!

Another student files case against Minnesota school district.

(maybe with new limits)

The Anoka-Hennepin School District in Michele Bachmann's state of Minnesota is once again being sued by a student, claiming sexual harassment. Last month, PinkPaper.com reported that five students planned to sue the district after a policy which limited staff discussions about gay issues left them at risk of bullying.

The same month we also reported that a total of nine young students have committed suicide in the area – and all of them are said to be linked to homophobic bullying. Of course Bachmann, in the GOP run for the presidential election, will not answer questions about the lack of intervention by her and the school district regarding facing one of the highest rates of teen suicide, in the same school, in the country.

Prior to this five students have joined together to sue the school district in an effort to force them to change present policies that allow pervasive bullying against LGBTQ students legal.

 “This is yet another incredibly distressing example of how the district’s shameful policy has hurt kids,” NCLR Executive Director Kate Kendell told the Minnesota Independent.

“The district has to stop turning its back on children, and recognize that its illegal policy that singles out those who are LGBT is the reason that so many children in their schools continue to be tormented — verbally, physically, and emotionally — every day.”

This case, in addition to the murder trial of Brandon McInerny, accused of shooting to death Lawrence King in 2008 (see previous posts), is another potentially important lawsuit that will certainly have an effect on not only how schools handle bullying against LGBTQ students or those with disabilities, but will also have a direct effect on Bachmann's run for the presidency. As of late Bachmann has taken the high road by not answering questions about the issue and the legality of school policy that allows students to be bullied.

We'll be following this case closely as it develops.

Home | Gay-Straight Alliance Network

Empowering youth activists to fight homophobia and transphobia in schools.

 

Mission

Gay-Straight Alliance Network is a youth leadership organization that connects school-based Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs) to each other and community resources through peer support, leadership development, and training.

GSA Network supports young people in starting, strengthening, and sustaining GSAs and builds the capacity of GSAs to:

1. create safe environments in schools for students to support each other and learn about homophobia, transphobia, and other oppressions,

2. educate the school community about homophobia, transphobia, gender identity, and sexual orientation issues, and

3. fight discrimination, harassment, and violence in schools.

   Great site with lots of information and resources for teens and adults alike.

Student faces college homophobia

This story comes from the Philadelphia Gay News and is a shocking reminder that, as I have written in this blog many times, bullying won't go away just because the news reports the unfortunate suicide of a teenager as a result from bullying...whatever the reason.

Student faces college homophobia: "“He said the school just wasn’t ready for this change, and I was the change that was going to happen.”

One Young Track Stars 5 Step Solution to Homophobic Slurs

I came across this young man's site and was astounded at not only his writing skills, but his maturity and solution to the problem of being called gay and having to listen to the "usual" slurs thrown about by the bullies and homophobics as they try to bully and belittle those who are different and don't meet their idea of "normal." 

This is a quote from his site:

"'You wouldn’t want to get beaten by some random homo,' my coach said, trying to invoke some form of energy from a teammate. Sitting on the center of an indoor track, we loosened up before our open 400 race. After 3 days of workouts we had both grown tired. 3 nights of restless sleep led to my unusually hazy mindset which forced me to question what I heard; eventually I grew certain. Upon further clarification my mouth began to hang agape and a feeling of perpetual free fall loomed in my stomach..."more

Click on more to read his story and amazing solution on how to handle these situations and check some of his links in the right side column.

Gay Teen: Stop Bullying or I’ll Sue

This is one incredible kid! We need more like him...thing is, I think that there is a lot more to this story than what is told here. GO Caleb!

From the Editors at the Advocate.com

Photo Charlie Leight

"Gay teen activist Caleb Laieski has notified officials at every school in Arizona that they must put a stop to bullying, or else he plans to file a lawsuit.

The Arizona Republic reports that the Phoenix-area teen e-mailed a letter to more than 5,000 school administrators and elected officials in early December.

'The letters warn school officials that they must institute policies specifically prohibiting gay harassment by students, teachers and administrators,' reports the Republic. 'Schools that fail to stop bullying will encounter ‘legal ramifications.’'

Laieski, 15, founded Gays and Lesbians United Against Discrimination two years ago. Prior to making his demand of every school in Arizona, he successfully prompted the Dysart Unified School District, where he had endured antigay bullying, to revise its handbook to include language that prohibits bullying on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

Now pursuing his high school equivalency diploma, Laieski runs his organization with a friend, Casey Cameron of Chicago.

Thus far, the Republic reports that the letter campaign has generated responses from only a handful of officials, most of whom have not expressed plans to take further steps. The Arizona School Boards Association, whose handbook recommends policies and language to many districts, plans to release new policy advisories this month, but a spokeswoman would not say whether antigay bullying was included among the revisions."

Follow the link to leave a comment on the Advocate site and support Caleb's fight to help those who are being bullied in schools.

Gay teen suicide case probed - PinkPaper.com

I hope this case is taken seriously for a change by some who can and will make some changes at least this school district. This 13 year old teenage suffered too much and so did his family...unfortunately a scene too many families have had to endure at the hands of homophobic authorities and uneducated individuals in authority who pass bullying along as a "rite of passage" between kids. 

I really hate to even think of this or even say it, but I wonder sometime what would change if a few of those individuals had to go and cut down one of these kids hanging from a bed, or pick up a teenager who chose to end his or her life with a gun. Maybe something would sink in if they felt the accountability of their actions...I don't know. Then again, a lot of kids these days don't seem to care about much of anything as long as it's not them being bullied, picked on, or whatever it may be. 

I have personal experience with all aspects of this and all I know is that we have to keep up the struggle to educate the kids, adults, authorities, even people in power at the highest level of government. 

"IT WILL GET BETTER" needs YOUR help!

I'm looking for a few good men (and women) to join my cause to raise awareness (and money) even more about the continuing problem of bullying and teen suicide. In spite of all the recent media attention, as I predicted, there is little attention being given to this sad hate-filled crime. And the saddest thing is that there won't be until another young person takes their life from being bullied in school for being gay, or too small, or for being different. I'm raising money through my FB Cause for THE TREVOR PROJECT, a non-profit that raises awareness across the country in schools and through other avenues as well as operates as 24/7 suicide hot line.To join, click on the FaceBook Box in the right column and join up as a member or make a contribution.

Teen who defended pro-gay teacher appears on Ellen's chat show - PinkPaper.com

Teen who defended pro-gay teacher appears on Ellen's chat show - PinkPaper.com

Thanks to Ellen we have an International, famous celebrity who is not only gay, but is above reproach that lends credibility to people like this young man. It's unfortunate that we don't have the same credibility in our political system. We now have celebrities and teenagers all over the world who have to set the standards for the rest of us while the rich politicians sit in their back rooms and count the money they think makes them happy. What a misguided world we live in.

Official accused of anti-gay comments

Wednesday October 27, 2010

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) -- A member of a northern Arkansas school board, commenting on a campaign to get people to wear purple to show support for bullied gay and lesbian youth, purportedly posted on Facebook that the only way he would wear purple is "if they all commit suicide."

The Arkansas Department of Education on Wednesday condemned the alleged posting by Midland School Board member Clint McCance.

The Advocate, a magazine that reports about gay issues, first reported about the posting on its website. The Facebook page has been disabled, but The Advocate posted a screen grab of the alleged postings that it says someone forwarded to it.

McCance’s alleged posting was in response to a Facebook campaign that asked supporters to wear purple last Wednesday to show solidarity after several gay and lesbian youths killed themselves, reportedly because of bullying.

"Seriously they want me to wear purple because five queers killed themselves," the posting reads. "The only way im wearin it for them is if they all commit suicide. I cant believe the people of this world have gotten this stupid. We are honoring the fact that they sinned and killed thereselves because of their sin."

McCance didn’t respond to a message seeking comment Wednesday left at his office, and his cell phone voicemail box was full and not accepting new messages. He told the Arkansas Times that the issue had been "blown out of proportion" but declined further comment.

Officials at the Midland School District said Superintendent Dean Stanley was out of the office and not available for comment.

In a statement, the Midland School District distanced itself from McCance’s comments and said the school does not "support or condone" what was written on the Facebook page.

"Mr. McCance was not acting as an agent of the school board, but as a private citizen when this comment was posted. This post does not reflect the thoughts of the board or administration of the Midland School District," the statement said. "The district strives to foster an environment that discourages all forms of bullying and an environment that encourages a safe and productive educational climate of all of our students."

The Human Rights Campaign, a gay rights advocacy group, said it plans to buy two full-page ads in local newspapers Friday urging McCance to resign.

A Facebook group, "Fire Clint McCance," had more than 23,000 members by Wednesday afternoon.

The state Education Department said in a statement Wednesday that it had no jurisdiction over elected school officials but that it would investigate any reports of bullying that arise because of the incident.

"The Arkansas Department of Education strongly condemns remarks or attitudes of this kind and is dismayed to see that a school board official would post something of this insensitive nature on a public forum like Facebook," the department said.

The Arkansas School Board Association also denounced the remarks.

GLSEN: Safe Space Kit

GLSEN: Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network

Designed to help educators create a safe space for LGBT youth in schools, the NEW Safe Space Kit features the 42-page Guide to Being an Ally to LGBT Students. This guide provides concrete strategies for supporting LGBT students, educating about anti-LGBT bias and advocating for changes in your school. The Kit also shows how to assess the school's climate, policies and practices and outlines ways to advocate for change inside the school.