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, 15, killed himself earlier this month after weeks of suicidal musings on his blog and social-media websites such as Twitter and Tumblr. His father, Ottawa city councilor Allan Hubley, said the boy had been treated cruelly at school because of his sexuality.
As Mercer says in the rant:
"He was gay alright. He was a great big goofy gay kid singing Lady Gaga on the Internet. And as an adult, you look at that and you go, you know what? That kid's going places. But for some reason, some kids, they looked at that and they attacked and now he's gone."
But Mercer suggested "it gets better" is not enough and issued a direct challenge to gay people in public life to step up:
"It’s no longer good enough for us to tell kids who are different that it's going to get better. We have to make it better now," Mercer said. "So If you're gay and you're in public life, I’m sorry, you don't have to run around with a Pride flag and bore the hell out of everyone, but you can't be invisible. Not anymore."
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.
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, 15, killed himself earlie...
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, 15, killed himself earlie...
Jamie Hubley, a gay 15-year-old from Ottawa, Canada, committed suicide on Friday. The 10th grade student documented his life, including his depression and the hardships...
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.
Kevin and I recently met up for a drink, and the subject of those torturous skits came up. What amazes us as adults is how the boys involved never even got a mild talking to, much less disciplined for their outrageously homophobic behavior.
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.
Bullying and violence have no place in our schools. When our children are the targets as a result of their orientation, perceived orientation, gender identity or gender expression, it is critical that there are adults they can turn to.
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.
Some of the kids who say things like "that is so gay" probably don't mean it and don't really understand what they are saying. But words are weapons. They have power and meaning. They wound.
That is the most wonderful expression of thought and concern I've heard in a long time.
Rick is absolutely right -- there would hell to pay if the lunch room is vandalized. Why can't the schools and parents be more concerned about the little SOBs who vandalize another kid's life?
Maryanne_Slater: That is the most wonderful expression of thought and concern
Why can't the gays live their lives in a normal way and not be parading and broadcasting their rights and trying to push their way on to other people. If they went about their way of living quietly, like most ethnic people do, they would not be bothered. In the 'old days' there were gays and people knew it and didn't bothered them because they weren't demanding and obnoxious
Patriot28: Why can't the gays live their lives in a normal
We can't live our lives in a normal way because we are not allowed to live our lives in a 'normal' way, if there even is such a thing. The kid was not parading his sexuality around; he was singing on Youtube, which is some that a lot of people do believe it or not. I'm glad you're from a place where people had the attitude of 'you leave me alone, I leave you alone,' but that isn't how the whole world works. In other places, people are cruel, and they are cruel because they can be. Even if someone was parading it around, not that they should, that's no reason to treat them as if they are inferior to anyone because of it. Like Mercer said, it gets better is not enough anymore; we need to MAKE it better. It's people like you that are standing in the way of that.
Helena_Baldwin: We can't live our lives in a normal way because
A very well honed message, Mr. Mercer. "It's no longer good enough for us to tell kids who are different that "it's gonna get better; WE HAVE TO MAKE IT BETTER, NOW."
The "It get's better" campaign is a great start. However, it speaks directly to kids who've already had their spirit broken; their world is small; school years seem forever; they just want to fit in, they don't and they're in pain. It's a dark and depressing way of living and easy to think that everything would be much better without a misfit like me. When a childs mind is on the receiving end of constant day in and day out conditioning and torture, they come to an obvious, though false, conclusion; "It's not such a good thing to be me."
Back in school, I was beaten and harassed, daily, just for being me. From 7th-12th grade, my days consisted of trying to go unnoticed. No focus on school work, I'd obsess on avoiding confrontation. I felt hated, alone and thought about suicide a lot.
Kids still have few places to turn, nor the desire to, they fear further judgement and the possibility of making their situation worse. Teachers, parents and students must understand and help these kids feel safe 24/7. Because, if being gay or different was a choice, especially at an age when fitting in is the most important thing in the world, who would ever choose it?
RocDG: A very well honed message, Mr. Mercer. "It's no longer
It would be amazing if some of the people these bullies typically look up to (sports figures, UFC fighters, action actors, etc) would use their celebrity just as Rick is pleading for here.
Imagine a campaign involving the likes of George St.Pierre (UFC Champ), Chris Neil (Ottawa Sens tough guy), and other highly-visible "tough-guys". It's past due for something home-grown to be done.
I heard Rick on CBC's The Current today and he's exactly the kind of figure we Canadians should prop-up and be proud of.
Go RM!!
dbeez: It would be amazing if some of the people these
There actually have been a few pro athletes who've done just that.. Sean Avery's been pretty vocally supportive of gay youth, the UK footballer Ben Cohen has a whole program devoted to recruiting straight 'allies' in sport, and there's a UFC fighter... I can't remember his name... but he basically said in an interview one time that if any gay kid wrote him that they were being bullied, he'd come to their school and give the bullies a talking-to. There's a really acclaimed college wrestler, too, whose name I'm embarrassed to forget, who always wore the HRC sticker on his headgear.
Just sayin', there are some of them out there, doing what they can.
imperator_prime: There actually have been a few pro athletes who've done
Accountability - brilliant and simple but so easy to escape. Everyone of us can hide anonymously behind the computer these days, tragically that boosts the cruelty component as well. It's unimaginable growing up in a world where public humiliation can be brought about in an instant. It makes sense to remove that wall of protection if abuse occurs, if it prevents attacks to even one child then public confrontation should be seriously considered. Not just for students but parents, teachers who witness and say nothing as well. "...adults don't need role models, kids do", we have to remind ourselves of that and realize that inaction (silence) speaks volumes too.
ZalaK: Accountability - brilliant and simple but so easy to escape.
I'm not a fan of Rick Mercer but his rants are always thoughtful and poignant. They always make you think and that's a good thing. (To take a line from Rick Mercer.)
Bachmann should realize that if the people say it's a federal issue then it's a federal issue. And this is a federal issue because it's the government's job to protect it's citizens. No matter which level of government we're talking about.
I admire Lady Gaga's push to reduce, and eliminate, bullying but I don't see her really being educated in this situation. Bullying is already illegal in some forms. Sexual and physical are widely and actively recognized provided that the victim is willing to take what they see as a risk to ostracization. Verbal, mental, and emotional bullying can lead to charges provided the victim is a little sneaky.
Nathan_Loiselle: I'm not a fan of Rick Mercer but his rants
All ok, except, Lady Gaga is ALL about acceptance and anti-bullying. That's precisely what 'paw up little monsters' IS. I say this as a more-than-middle aged woman who has daughters to whom Gaga has been incredibly influential. I like her. Very much.
Barb_Bissonnette: All ok, except, Lady Gaga is ALL about acceptance and
I think this was a poignant & powerful message...but it could have been made much moreso had Mr. Mercer made more of a point of his own sexual identity in the video. Hearing the message about stepping up coming from a proud & out gay man would have more resonance.
therealjezzie: I think this was a poignant & powerful message...but it
Very well put, it is time we all do something about it. Me for starters I have written to my MP demanding to give priority to bullying legislation. It's not enough with giving "recommendations" to schools. Bullying is harassment and harassment is a crime. People need to be held responsible for it, the kids and their parents. And even though I am all too familiar with gay bullying, lets remember kids get bullied for many other reasons such as race, disability, language, weight... and none of this reasons should be accepted. Bullying needs to end.
jprs29: Very well put, it is time we all do something
What we need in the gay community is for you the straight community to give equal rights to all. It is not something that is simply given to straights only just because you are straight! Equality starts with you in the straight community not us. We are all around and coming out has nothing to do with it. Nothing! It helps those perhaps that are gay and struggling. But it does not make you change your preception or hate for us!
lambdin1: What we need in the gay community is for you
We need more Rick Mercer's. He's one of our national icons. He's treasured by countless Canadians. We need more people like Rick Mercer, and him being gay himself has nothing to do with it,but for this situation he's probably more in tune to it than most... it's because he's honest and calls them like he sees them. And he sees them with a keen eye and a sharp wit. He makes Canadians proud to be Canadian.
Northern_Observer: We need more Rick Mercer's. He's one of our national
It's pretty horrible isn't it?
You Tube might as well just turn the comment fields off, it seems to be the place everyone love to go to get their hate on.
Jak_Frost: It's pretty horrible isn't it? You Tube might as well
True that. This was a sweet, lovely young man who is lost forever to not only his parents but the rest of the world. It's sickening to me that, in light of this fact, so many have such a difficult time to show even a little bit of compassion.
suvariboy: True that. This was a sweet, lovely young man who
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First Posted: 10/26/11 12:41 PM ET Updated: 10/27/11 05:46 AM ET