The disturbing rash of LGBT teen suicides began receiving attention last fall. Among those who took their own life was Tyler Clementi, an 18-year-old Rutgers University student who jumped off the George Washington Bridge between New Jersey and New York after his roommate allegedly filmed him having sex with another man.
Seth Walsh
Seth Walsh, a 13-year-old California teen, hung himself in September 2010 after reportedly being bullied because he was gay.
Raymond S. Chase
Gay Rhode Island-based student Raymond S. Chase, 19, became the fifth in 2010's disturbing spate of teen suicides last fall.
Obama's Anti-Bullying Video
In October 2010, President Obama released a video in support of LGBT youth who were struggling with being bullied.
Pastor's Confession
In November 2010, Jim Swilley, the pastor of a Georgia megachurch, revealed to his congregation that he is gay. The 52-year-old father of four said the recent spate of teen suicides, particularly that of Clementi, prompted him to change his mind. "For some reason his situation was kind of the tipping point with me," Swilley told CNN's Don Lemon this weekend.
Daniel Radcliffe Honored
In June, "Harry Potter" actor Daniel Radcliffe was honored with the Trevor Project's "Hero" Award for his <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/02/26/daniel-radcliffe-speaks-o_n_478960.html" target="_hplink">ongoing suicide prevention efforts</a> for LGBT youth.
Jamey Rodemeyer
In September, Jamey Rodemeyer, a 14-year-old boy from Williamsville, N.Y., took his life Sunday after what his parents claim was years of bullying because of struggles with his sexuality, months after posting this "It Gets Better" clip on YouTube.
Lady Gaga's Dedication
After vowing to stop bullying and make it illegal, Lady Gaga -- a longtime advocate for LGBT causes -- dedicated a performance to Rodemeyer at the iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas. "I wrote this record about how your identity is really all you've got when you're in school," Gaga told the crowd. "So tonight, Jamey, I know you're up there looking at us, and you're not a victim. You're a lesson to all of us."
Bachmann Speaks Out
Days after being faced with a petition that urged her to publicly address gay bullying in her district, Rep. Michele Bachmann noted, "That's not a federal issue," according to CBS News. Previously, Tammy Aaberg, the mother of Justin Aaberg, a gay teen in the Anoka-Hennepin school district who committed suicide after having been bullied in area schools, delivered petitions to Bachmann's office asking her for support.
Jamie Hubley
Jamie Hubley, a gay 15-year-old from Ottawa, Canada, committed suicide Oct. 14. In this clip, the teen performs Mike Posner's "Cooler Than Me."
Hubley Tribute Video
Friends created a poignant tribute video to Hubley, the Canadian 10th grader who committed suicide on Friday.
OTTAWA - An Ottawa city councillor says bullying was part of the reason his 15-year-old son took his own life last Friday.Coun. Allan Hubley says in a statement that his son Jamie had been suffering w...
OTTAWA - An Ottawa city councillor says bullying was part of the reason his 15-year-old son took his own life last Friday.Coun. Allan Hubley says in a statement that his son Jamie had been suffering w...
Canadian comedian Rick Mercer used his weekly televised rant Tuesday night to passionately denounce gay bullying after the suicide of Ottawa teenager Jamie Hubley. Hubley,...
It wasn't inspiration that got me off that bridge but a person who saw a boy in a perilous place. Fewer kids will die when it's not just their parents or their gay and lesbian peers but our entire society that is keeping an eye out on their well-being.
When the news reports another innocent child driven to take their own life because of homophobia and bullying, I wonder if that kid is one of the many who have written to me. And more than that, I wonder if it is "my kid."
I was sickened by the assault that occurred at Unioto High School, where a 15-year-old student was beaten up, presumably because of his sexual orientation. The footage reflects the environment in which many LGBT students receive their education.
These kids are not getting bullied; they are getting mugged. If the same violent incidents occurred on the subway or at the grocery store, they would be considered mugging, and the perpetrator would be arrested for assault.
Before we have another case like Jamie Hubley's on our hands, it's time for Canada to stand up loud and proud and say, "It gets better." Where is Prime Minister Harper's message that it gets better? I don't believe that Harper, his cabinet, the Conservative Party or other Members of Parliament are anti-gay. But I think their silence is deafening.
When is it going to stop????? There is no good reason for these deaths. The bullies should be charged and punished. What a waste. He had talent tobad the idiots have so little confidence in themselves that they have to bully others. Someday they might find themselves in the same situation.I really feel sorry for the family.
nanaofmysky: When is it going to stop????? There is no good
Ironically in death Jamie will find peace. While the bully brigade will have this horrendous memory stuck in their psyche for the remainder of their lives. Shame!
Barry_Ruhl: Ironically in death Jamie will find peace. While the bully
I wish our schools and teachers would have a better handle on these situations. Most of this behavior happens in the schools. These kids need to be protected and helped. Smaller schools, more monitoring, something. I have heard enough about bullying. It needs to be stopped.
Peas_Family_Buffet: I wish our schools and teachers would have a better
I believe we can all do something to honor the beautiful person James was. Accept that is okay to be angry, to be gay, to have a learning disablity, to be a high achiever, to live one mom or two moms or one day or two dads or foster parents or grandparents, to be witty, to be the one that laughs alot, to be shy, to understand that not everyone is as strong as you, to tell someone what you like about them, to smile at them.
luvamartini: I believe we can all do something to honor the
We all need to do more, but especially schools and teachers, where so much bullying takes place. Teachers need to be a support for kids, especially LGBT kids, who often don't feel safe at home. If teachers can't do this, if they can't support LGBT kids, if they won't stand up and stop students bullying other students, then they shouldn't be teachers. They and the other school administrators who won't support and protect students, especially minority students, should find another line of work that doesn't involve minors.
Marcus047: We all need to do more, but especially schools and
So true! I am so fortunate to have my children go to a small town school in Manitoba. This school has a total of 60 kids in it from Kind to grade 12. Very family oriented and safe....great teachers. More can be done to protect these kids.
Peas_Family_Buffet: So true! I am so fortunate to have my children
What a tragedy. Young people should not have to do anything in life except be happy and flourish. It seems the more we know about bullying and depression in teens there is only so much that can be done. If children are not shown the tools of acceptance and empathy at home rarely will they learn it out in the real world. My heart goes out to this young man and I hope now he is at peace. God bless.
Wendy_Stewart: What a tragedy. Young people should not have to do
Before we start educating our kids about bullying, we need to educate the adults in the world who are the role models. Adults have a way of tossing language around and judging others because they are different. We need to stop and realize that words do have meaning and words do have consequences.
elizlucinda: Before we start educating our kids about bullying, we need
I think that in these difficult times, it is not easy for people to distinguish the difference between good and bad when its comes to such moral issues as premarital sex, drug abuse, gay rights, abortion, euthanasia, etc.
I consider myself very lucky because I practice Falun Gong, which allows me to know the difference between right and wrong and Falun Gong has answered and is still answering my many questions about life.
It is a free practice with tens of millions of practitioners Worldwide. Thank you.
Jeff_Forsythe: I think that in these difficult times, it is not
So Sad. How a young person gets to this point and feels that suicide is the only option is a frightening thought. I was bullied badly in grade school, although not for the same reason. (I was a tomboy, wore glasses and did not look "girly" enough. For that, I was beat up and stabbed by boys. School chose to do nothing. However, I miraculously came out "normal" but not completely unscathed. It does affect you and now at 46, I often think back on both the "how" and the reasons those involved did it. I could have resorted to alot of questionable actions...but I did not - my family was supportive of me as well and pushed me to play sports - probably saved my life.....Kids are a blend of raging hormones and insecurities, and often feel protected in "groups" of like minded individuals. Schools often do not take time to educate on freedoms of individuals and differences of those individuals. I became a personal trainer and am successful. I have not idea what happened to some of those individuals except the one that stabbed me - he turned to a life of crime. If you do have kids, tell them that everyone is different and there is no "handbook" for life - live it, accept others the way they are, just because someone wears glasses and looks like a boy....does that have to scare you ????
sixpackgal28: So Sad. How a young person gets to this point
This is just depressing. I'm not sure what to think of the world, anymore. You got the Republicans in the US that are trying to merge Christian beliefs and Federal Law and you got all this bullying with GLBT youth dying because of the lack of support from government. Am I the only one that sees the correlation? What happened the the America I could be proud of??
drularter: This is just depressing. I'm not sure what to think
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First Posted: 10/17/11 10:13 PM ET Updated: 10/19/11 04:31 PM ET