CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
The death of Jamey Rodemeyer in September was one of those rare tragedies that also became a catalyst for change. The 14-year-old, who was subjected to repeated antigay bullying, killed himself because, as he said in posts online, "I felt like I could never escape." The subsequent outrage inspired thousands of tributes via social media, a piece of legislation in his name, and a performance in his honor by Lady Gaga, who shared her concerns about bullying with the president of the United States.
But the hard truth is that suicide spreads like a virus -- a "contagion," in the words of the experts -- and that same sincere tribute that has people mad enough to demand changes in our schools could also lead to more suicides by LGBT youth.
"Most people in a healthy state of mind won't be influenced to take their own life after watching a heartfelt memorial tribute," says David McFarland, interim executive director and CEO of the Trevor Project, which works to prevent suicide among LGBT and questioning young people. "But a person whose thoughts and values are out of order and who may already be thinking about suicide may be influenced to take their own life in the hope of getting similar attention."
The Trevor Project doesn't condemn any of these memorials, though, because they do a lot of good. The It Gets Better Project, for example, was a response to a wave of suicides that shocked the nation last year. But while headlines were multiplying in 2010, calls spiked to the Trevor Project's suicide prevention hotline (866-4-U-TREVOR). McFarland sees that as proof "that suicide contagion as a media-related phenomenon is real."
Memorials to kids who have been lost should come with information about where to get help, the Trevor Project advises. Calls to the hotline will increase, perhaps indicating a contagion at work, but McFarland says talking is the best option for kids confused by headlines.
lucasgrindley
Want more breaking equality news & trending entertainment stories?
Check out our NEW 24/7 streaming service: the Advocate Channel!
Download the Advocate Channel App for your mobile phone and your favorite streaming device!
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
Here Are Our 2024 Election Predictions. Will They Come True?
November 07 2023 1:46 PM
Meet all 37 of the queer women in this season's WNBA
April 17 2024 11:24 AM
17 Celebs Who Are Out & Proud of Their Trans & Nonbinary Kids
November 30 2023 10:41 AM
Here Are the 15 Most LGBTQ-Friendly Cities in the U.S.
November 01 2023 5:09 PM
Which State Is the Queerest? These Are the States With the Most LGBTQ+ People
December 11 2023 10:00 AM
These 27 Senate Hearing Room Gay Sex Jokes Are Truly Exquisite
December 17 2023 3:33 PM
10 Cheeky and Homoerotic Photos From Bob Mizer's Nude Films
November 18 2023 10:05 PM
42 Flaming Hot Photos From 2024's Australian Firefighters Calendar
November 10 2023 6:08 PM
These Are the 5 States With the Smallest Percentage of LGBTQ+ People
December 13 2023 9:15 AM
Here are the 15 gayest travel destinations in the world: report
March 26 2024 9:23 AM
Watch Now: Advocate Channel
Trending Stories & News
For more news and videos on advocatechannel.com, click here.
Trending Stories & News
For more news and videos on advocatechannel.com, click here.
Latest Stories
Black trans woman África Parrilla García shot to death in Puerto Rico
April 18 2024 4:55 PM
Marjorie Taylor Greene has sunk so low even Fox News can't stand her anymore
April 18 2024 4:04 PM
Single lesbians are avoided by straight women, but not straight men. Here's why.
April 18 2024 3:18 PM
The LGBTQ+ movie fan's guide to the 2024 TCM Classic Film Festival
April 18 2024 2:44 PM
The federal government failed on mpox. Ritchie Torres's new bill addresses that (exclusive)
April 18 2024 1:21 PM
True
In the face of tweets and turmoil, why I left the South as a medical student
April 18 2024 7:30 AM
Trans man Tee Arnold shot to death in Florida
April 17 2024 4:41 PM
Can scientific research on the causes of homosexuality be used against LGBTQ+ people?
April 17 2024 4:02 PM
Trending stories
Most Recent
Recommended Stories for You
Lucas Grindley
Lucas Grindley is VP and Editorial Director for Here Media, which is parent company to The Advocate. His Twitter account is filled with politics, Philip Glass appreciation, and adorable photos of his twin toddler daughters.
Lucas Grindley is VP and Editorial Director for Here Media, which is parent company to The Advocate. His Twitter account is filled with politics, Philip Glass appreciation, and adorable photos of his twin toddler daughters.