Though the recent tragedies involving gay youth across the nation have made particularly notable headlines, it’s imperative to note these incidents happen more frequently than we’d like to admit.
Homophobia and the pain it causes affect each member of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual and queer communities daily. Those who have recently taken their own lives as a result of bullying or homophobic harassment — Tyler Clementi, Asher Brown, Seth Walsh, Justin Aaberg and Billy Lucas — are only the latest in a long-standing trend.
Only last year, in April of 2009, we saw headlines about the suicides of two 11-year-old boys in reaction to gay taunting. The year prior, classmates fatally shot openly gay 15-year-old Lawrence King.
These stories shocked the country, but only for a week or two. Other news replaced their deaths. Now, we must reflect on what changes we’ve seen in our society in response.
Consider this: If an American soldier is professed to be among the highest role models in our society, what does this say to gay children and teenagers who look up to them,but may never join their ranks?
If marriage is revered as the hallmark of family values and tradition in the U.S., what hopes do we give our younger generations of the LGBTQ community of ever feeling like a part of it all? Further, what are we teaching our children about tolerance when there are people on television analogizing homosexuality with bestiality?
It should come as no surprise to us that children in our schools are bullying their gay (or presumed to be gay) peers. It should come as no surprise gay youth like Tyler Clementi are committing suicide. Change must occur beyond constitutional amendments, Supreme Court rulings and anti-bullying laws. We must educate our children to do more than tolerate their peers. Acceptance is what we must teach. We must teach by example.
Today, remember these names and those whose names don’t make the headlines.
