Gay R.I. Student Commits Suicide

I don't think the gay community cares about any black kid committing suicide, gay or not. The fact that his skin is not white precludes any compassion from the white gay hegemony out there.

Bullying has been around since the beginning of mankind. It also exists in the rest of the 'animal kingdom' of which we are still a part of. However, we as humans can choose "not" to do so. As for the bullying now that is going on with the GLBT community, sadly, this will continue till the older homophobes eventually give way to a more understanding youth. It will take time.

Randy -"The reason this is a gay issue is that among teen/young adult suicide victims, it is fairly well established that 30 to 35% are gay" What about the 70%? This is a misuse of statistics. At this rate it is beyond a 'gay issue' -it's an epidemic, instead of just labelling it 'a gay issue' why are people not asking the larger question? The statistics you quote alone are proof that this is a larger issue -which is that teens today are being bullied and see no other option than to commit suicide. Acknowledging that this is a larger issue by no means takes away from that 30-35% -but joining together with other causes makes an even stronger case. The problem here is isolating the issue as a 'gay issue' -which alienates the majority of the population. By banding together perhaps we can all address this very troubling state of affairs.

I'm sorry but I disagree that bullying does not at least influence suicide and depression. The youth of today are not "weak." It's more that there is less privacy. There is constant contact. Therefore there can be constant harrasment. 12 years ago, I was a high school student. I was constantly harrased for various things including a medical condition which CANNOT BE CURED and for which the treatments at that time were not helping. I was very depressed and hated going to school. I contemplated suicide many times but didn't go through with it...We still are very much in a society that looks down on those who seek help for mental health and/or harrasment issues.

This is outrageous. LGBT people are committing suicide left and right. (No, that is not some sort of joke) I'm eleven. Yes. I am an eleven year old girl, and I understand how wrong this really is. What could prevent this is actually, y'know, learning something about sexual orientation in Health class. Bullies don't like what they can't understand. If we (As a YOUNG ADULT THAT COMPREHENDS THINGS, I am speaking for all middle school students.) got educated, then people wouldn't be so close-minded and unaccepting.

As a citizen of this country you should be disturbed that a young man took his life instead of making sure that we all know how much you don't care about gay iussues. Yet here you are.. taking the time out of your day to comment. So maybe you do care a little more than you would like to admit.

I went to JWU Providence! My heart aches over this.

Haven't you all heard? Depression kills. Listen to your RX ads on tv, in the newspaper, in magazines. There is enough articles about depression for anyone to know how it works. These children are living in a time that being GLBT is recognized by all and the mean people won't leave them alone for a minute. They have all needed help by licensed psychologists, not their friendly church counselors. Matt Shepards mother has this Hotline for any troubled GLBT to call it is: 866-488-7386. Trevor Project.

The reason being gay is the issue is because they are being bullied and the only escape they see is taking their own life. This has got to stop. How many more people are going to have to die before someone realizes that there is a huge problem here. Every gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgenders has a mother, a father, a brother, and a sister. So why do people treat them as if they are not human beings? And people think it's ok for them to be bullied. "They had it coming to them anyways." Well, Shame on you!

The last thing we need is a word from the President, and I really think it is ridiculous to expect it from him. It's like when the president goes to fly over areas devastated by hurricanes, or floods. I mean, were people supposed to feel better after hurricane Katrina, when they were walking through feces and dead bodies because some public official flew over to "asses" the damage? I would be delighted if he just stopped all of his boring speeches and actually did something. What needs to happen is policies which are draconian on "bullies" and which employ "qualified" counselors since it is obvious the "nuclear" family isn't providing enough. In college if you are still a bully then you will eventually naturally select yourself out when you harass the wrong person.