Are you ready for a public service announcement? This week brought news of two fifteen year-old boys hanging themselves because of anti-gay bullying. Statistics show that LGBT youth are four times more likely to attempt suicide than their straight peers. It should go without saying, but this is simply unacceptable.
Being a teenager is hard enough. No one should have to deal with that stress on top of being regularly teased, harassed or assaulted for being “different”. If you agree, join the Give A Damn campaign to get informed and get involved. Whether you educate yourself on the issue or share your own personal story, it’s enough to make a difference. Even the smallest gesture can help the cause.
For more information, you can check out the accompanying video with Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Lily Tomlin, Mae Whitman and Judith Light. These four celebrities give a damn about youth suicides. How about you?
– Dewitt
To watch this video clip, follow the JUMP:
Came out at 13? WTF did he expect? Look people, the world is full of haters. Children are cruel. They are like chickens – they will peck on the weakest one. That goes for ANYONE, let alone giving them a reason to come after you. Ever see tootsie? You can hide this shit.
What is this shit about “just be yourself?” Bullshit. Lots of politicians and powerful guys like to rape little boys and shit like that. They’re controlling SOBs. Did they get where they are by “just being themselves?” Bullshit. You keep your head down, get good grades, go with the flow. When you grow up and get out of school, then you can do what you want. Until, then, don’t stick your neck up when the farmer comes around with the axe.
Cheers bitches!
Zan, there are places that provide FREE psycho therapy. I’m sure that if you take the time to check it out, there’s an organization in your area that might be able to help you.
As someone who is about to graduate college and had a very similar view to the one posted above while growing up, I just want to say that I wish I had the courage those boys did to say how they felt. Does it make your life harder? Yes, but I feel I’d be a stronger person now for having made it through. When I finally came out two years ago, I immediately felt like I had wasted half my life pretending to be someone i wasnt. In my opinion the secrecy and dualism to every part of your life can be just as isolating and soul crushing as someone telling you that you’re going to burn in hell for being gay. I realize that as a somewhat adult i cant speak to the mental state of children, not even to myself as a child, But blocking people out who you know are just misguided and ignorant is 1000 times easier than forcing yourself to be accepted by them and always wondering who is your actual friend. At this point in my life i speak to very few people from home in Texas only because I never felt really all that close to any of them and that breaks my heart, because IM sure they’re all doing great things now but I was too busy feeling completely alone my entire teenage life to actually form real relationships, even though I sat at the “popular” table.
I guess what Im trying to say is that there is no right way thats gonna work for every LGBT youth, and in some cases every option may be shittier than the last. My advice to them would be to just keep believing in yourself no matter what. And whether or not you want to be honest about who you are, maintain the belief that your sexuality doesnt define you and that you still have just as much to offer the world as anyone else now and once you become an adult.
I came out at 13 myself in a pretty small town. It wasn’t the most pleasant thing ever, but it was far from the worst. Having to deal with people fucking with me all the time is probably why I’m just a bit too aggressive at times now but, I’m glad I did and would never change it. Kids can be extremely cruel, but you learn how to defend yourself and just don’t listen to what they say. The opinions of those you dislike should matter little to you. I know that they use more than just words as well. I was jumped ALOT as a kid, once a guy pulled out a big old kitchen knife on me. I was like where the fuck had he been hiding this thing? It wasn’t anything like a switch blade or a pocket knife, but a long kitchen knife for cutting meat. I wish things could have been a bit easier and I’d been able to make more friends, but that’s the price you pay as a child for letting people know you’re different. It’s a very lonely experience, but it’ll almost certainly make you a lot stronger.
Some people can’t exactly hide it, and it’s a damn shame when you feel the need to hide a part of who you are. I like being different. I don’t want to keep my head down and go with the flow. Fuck all the haters. I am who I am, if you don’t like it, go find someone to hang with you do like and let me live my life free. Sometimes I wish I did fit in, but I wouldn’t change who I am for anything. It’s other people who need to change their views. And being gay is a far cry from being a pedophile or a rapist Zan, so kindly do not put me in the same category as such.
I want to say thanks to Jarvis and OpalLion for the heartfelt responses and for rising above the inflammatory style that I used. Clearly this is a tough issue with no easy answers and no solution will work for everybody. It depends on your own personality and situation. The grass is always greener and it is easy to live with regrets. Much harder to focus on the future and try to make it as great as you wish the past would have been.
Cheers
I cannot believe anyone is faulting the teenagers for coming out and saying what did they expect. Its 2010!!! I came out at 18. I am not positive nor do I have any other STD’s. The subjective comment isnt the issue. The issue is that these are human beings, children to hopefully parents that loved them, and they took their lives. Dont be a crass asshole. The problem isnt truth its society…they hate child molesters as well but they get 3 meals a day and healthcare. What did they expect? Perhaps some respect and a chance to fight with the rest of you primates. Evolution happens…just not everyone is on board.
survival of the fittest… the weak fall behind, the strong live on.
I suppose I am pretty fucking lucky. I have yet to directly encounter homophobia irl. But I know a lot of victims of gay-bashing. This is truly distressing news.
And to everyone that is basically saying “whatever” to this article, go fuck yourselves.
Joe, when are we going to stop blaming society? Society doesn’t raise your child, you do. Society influences your child, but what you do influences them more. We all know what society does, so let’s stop blaming it.
I feel horrible that these kids felt this was their only option, but where were their parents? My mom could sense when I had a bad day and would nag me until I told what was wrong. And like the guys who gave experiences above mine was much like OpalLion, and I agree, it makes you stronger as a person. Zan, I get what you’re saying and I agree, it’s just the way you said it.
Who is that video for? The gay kids? You can be strong but as soon as you go out your door your at the mercy of the world and that confidence kinda fades. Fuck a video with some c list celebrities. This ain’t doing shit for the meathead in your class who thinks your a “faggot”.
Honestly… I don’t get where all of you are saying that this is only for gay kids… and that they are the mercy of the bullies. Seriously, I remember going all through high school without a problem and I was openly gay. You want to know why? Because we had a mandatory class for 10 weeks on acceptance which covered everything from sexuality, race, religion, physical and mental limitations, etc. I think if more adults would actually intervene with their children’s lives versus ‘kids are being kids’… Society would be better as a whole. It’s time for the adults to step up to the plate and teach our children and teach the adults who refuse to teach their own.
I never had to worry about whether others knew that I was gay, because they decided that as soon as they met me. It was hard when I was younger, but there was always a friend around who didn’t care, and that made it worth all the hastles. I guess I was lucky that way. I did learn to fight when necessary, but mostly I just ignored them. I didn’t have a parent around to help me at the time, I was brought up in a children’s home. I just learned at an early age to take care of my self, because I knew that no one else would. When I got older, my late husband and I adopted 5 boys from Brazil. The last to graduate from high school told all his friends about me. They didn’t care, and at any one time I had sundry cheer leaders, football players, and soccer players running through my house raiding my frig. The really liked my cooking…
I was considered gay in school even when I thought I was straight. Was beat up on a daily basis. Horrible years. Would never want to repeat them. Still struggle with wanting to live at times. That’s stuff that sticks with you the rest of your life. I feel for these kids. Hate is a strong emotion, especially in the hands of immature teenagers.
I am so disgusted with this board and the sorry self loathing miserable bastards that hide behind their anonymity and make hateful statements. You know who you are Nuff said.
What scares me is that are so many people out there who don’t care that these kids committed suicide. They probably have rejoiced that there are now two less homosexuals in the world.
As an older gay male(well,not THAT old,but old enuf….),I have been bashed twice in my life,just for being gay.I am not a guy who is effeminate,or overly butch.I am just me.Sadly,the 3 guys who were intent on beating me into a coma could have cared less how adjusted I was,but there it is.As gay men and lesbian women,all our experiences,and the tools we’ve found to survive,are different.All the view points are valid,and as a gay man who at points in my life felt the need to hide,I am proud to know some gays with the courage to be OUT and PROUD! But thru out my life,I didnt always have that choice.We really do need to bond together,to help those with less ‘armor’ survive.Its all we can do is stand in the face of conflict,and fight back with all our might.
We are all lucky to come out and to move forward in life. I wish schools would get on ball and protect LGBT youth
The more I think about this campaign…. I don’t know….. Shouldn’t it be about helping any child that is struggling with suicide? Not just the LGBT ones…. Before you hate, remember, I was one that was beat up all of the time and wished that I were dead. But there are a myriad of other reasons for suicide as well… I think that they should be included.
these comments break my heart….. to see the pain expressed in so many ways, sometimes inward, sometimes outward…… it is very sad to see that this is where we are today…
perhaps if we were nicer to ourselves within our community others would be nicer to us too (though education still goes a long way imho)… or at least we’d know for sure there could exist one safe place…
and that video of that gay fight that has gone viral does not help either….
it is never fun being laughed at…….
remember that silence=death…… unfortunately still in 2010….
As a grown man I have often thought of contemplated suicide 4 many different reason and each and every time that I am brought 2 the brinks something seems 2 pull me back ONLY 2 throw me back out there again . I have over the years struggle with this issue and I am almost certain when the time comes my death certificate will read cause of death his own HANDS. having said that I am still here !! but knowing all 2 well of just how alone those kids must have been. I do not want anyone think that I am planing 2 checking out of here tomorrow how ever this post just has me thinking about where I have been , where I am going , & the LIFE that I have yet 2 live …….
BlackJackHammer, you made me cry. I’ve told my friends recently that I wish the cancer would have beat me. I’m too chicken to take my own life. I feel for you! But know I think a lot of you!
ToddM I have responded a many time on a whole host of issue ( on this blog ) but this post was the 1ST one I can truly say was about me and 4 the 1ST time I allowed myself 2 talk about my deepest, darkest & most painful secret . So ToddM I am sorry 4 making U cry but the M/H post ( these People care do U ? ) was a vehicle 4 me 2 finally be able 2 tell someone about my very own personal pain even if only being shared with a bunch ( horny ) guys on this M/H blog. ToddM I do not think U R a chicken I admire how U R stand up 4 what U believe in and not afraid 2 voice your opinion ( even when it lands U N 2 hot water ) that my Friend is very admirable trait and I hope that someday U & I will both find some comfort N dealing with the issue that we face and 4 what is worth I think a lot of U 2 !!
I have yet to come out. The reason is pretty much the most typical reason ; I’m scared. I’m scared of how everything will change. I’m scared of what everyone will think. I’m scared of how I’ll be treated. I’m just, scared. Part of me thinks it’s because i have zero self-esteem and part of me thinks it’s because of my sexuality but I’m sure you could find some correlation between the two. While I can sit here and think of a whole list of things wrong with myself, I dont want to because it’s very depressing. People say to just be yourself and people will accept you for who you are and if they dont, they dont deserve you. But what if that’s a lie? I cant bring myself to think that just coming out will solve very problem i have. That coming out is like telling someone that you swear extra small in some shirts. I want someone to tell me that I’m not a freak. I want someone to show me what I’m supposed to do. I just want someone to hold my hand through this. I just want to know that I shouldnt just… give up.
i didnt come out until i was 23, but i had known since i was 12, and had been since i was 5, I still feel that if the world was Bi everything would be better, their is a group of chimps in africa, that instead of violence, use sex as a way to solve all problems, male/male, male/female, female/female. if its for territory, status, or even for food, they just had 20 seconds of sex, and the problem is solved. I myself think i am Bi, granted homosexual activity is all i have ever had, but i think it is because even though women are hot, men are easier. Since i am a man it is easier to communicate and share myself with one. That is why i feel that if the entire world was Bi everyone would be happier.
Wow. Thanks, BlackJackHammer! I’m crying once again! Even tho we’ve never met, I feel a kindred spirit in you.