Fighting Back: Teen Beaten on Camera at School Seeks Changes

The Ohio student who was beaten while being videotaped says the school district knew about bullying that led up to the attack and did little about it. And now he's trying to stop that from ever happening again.

When Zach, whose full name is not being released, complained to a school official of repeated bullying, "he basically said there are a few gay kids in the school and you're the only one I have problems with," Zach tells local station 10TV, "so what can you do to tone yourself down and not draw all the attention to you?"

Zach said he was one of three or four openly gay students at his high school who faced regular bullying. And so he's speaking out with the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio by his side to ensure he gets heard.

"Zach was pushed. Expletives were directed toward him," said James Hardiman, legal director for the ACLU of Ohio, according to the Lancaster Eagle Gazette. "His mother reported this to school officials. Nothing was done. After a period of time, it became an exercise in futility."

ACLU officials have sent a letter to the Union-Scioto school district threatening a lawsuit if officials deny their request for a meeting, during which they hope to request changes to prevent future cases of bullying.

"I feel great to try to help other people," Zach said during a news conference about their efforts on Monday, according toThe Columbus Dispatch. "You have to always be yourself and stand up for what you believe in."

Zach's attacker has apparently pleaded guilty to a delinquency count of assault, and he now must wear an ankle monitor and check in with a probation officer, according to the Gazette.