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We are saddened to learn today of two more gay teens who have turned to suicide. This brings the total to 6 known suicides in September by openly gay, or perceived gay, teenagers.
Raymond Chase
Raymond Chase, a 19-year-old openly gay sophomore studying culinary arts at Johnson & Wales University in Rhode Island, committed suicide on Wednesday by hanging himself in his dorm room.
Details of the incident are scarce and unlike previous reports, it is not known at this time what the circumstances were leading up to Chase’s death.
Johnson and Wales Vice President Ronald Martel emailed students with the news on Thursday:
Today I contact you with the deeply sad news of the passing of Raymond Chase, sophomore, 19, culinary arts major. The campus community is mourning the loss of this vibrant young man who leaves many JWU friends and teachers, and a loving family of Monticello, New York.
We have also learned of another gay teen whose death was sadly, but unintentionally, overlooked.
Cody Barker
In Shiocton, Wisconsin, Cody J. Barker, a 17-year-old openly gay teen, took his life on September 13.
Cody attended Shiocton High School, where he was active in choir. He recently attended a seminar aimed at helping him establish a gay/straight alliance at his school. Cody also enjoyed bicycling and gardening, and was a Lady Gaga fan.
Maria Peeples, Barker’s peer mentor through GSA for Safe Schools, said he was a passionate activist for all students, especially those, “targeted or ostracized for their sexual orientation or their gender identity and expression. … He really cared about making schools a safe place for students. That wasn’t always his own experience with school.” [Wisconsin Gazette]
Raymond and Cody mark the fifth and sixth known teen suicides in the month of September among openly gay, and perceived gay, teens in what has become an epidemic of gay suicides:
On September 9, Billy (William) Lucas, of Greensburg, IN, was was found dead in a barn at his grandmother’s home — he had hanged himself. While Billy never self-identified as gay, friends report he was tormented for years because other kids thought he was gay. Billy was 15 years old.
On September 19, Seth Walsh of of Tehachapi, CA, was found unconscious and not breathing after attempting to hang himself. Seth, age 13, spent the better part of 10 days on life support — he died on September 28. Seth was openly gay and suffered years of relentless bullying.
On September 22, Rutgers University student Tyler Clementi, 18, of Ridgewood, NJ, jumped to his death off the George Washington Bridge, just days after his college roommate broadcast live images on the internet of him having a sexual encounter with another man.
On September 23, Asher Brown, age 13, came home from school and shot himself in the head after enduring what his mother and stepfather say was constant harassment from four other students at his middle school in Houston, TX. Asher told his parents he was gay that morning.
On Thursday, the Human Rights Campaign issued a nationwide action alert asking Secretary of Education Arne Duncan to speak out immediately and to push every school in the nation to implement anti-bullying policies inclusive of sexual orientation and gender identity.
“Our schools and our nation cannot sit back and wait for the next tragedy,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese. “Tools and resources are available to protect our children and it is adults who must act to put strong laws, policies and procedures in place.”
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Have you heard about Zach Harrington from Norman, OK (19 years of age) who took his life on 9/28/10 following a 3 hour debate at a town meeting about GLBT issues???
Yes, Zach's story is here: http://lgbtq.me/zachh
Please also remember Justin Aaberg
http://www.queerty.com/teenager-justin-aaberg-kil…
Sorry!
People who bully believe they have an "invisible ring" because others "have their back". In truth, a psychopath will bully but a sociopath continues to bully! In my opinion, sociopaths who bully and commit horrific crimes that cause suicide should never see the light of day!
Sadly, the bullies use letters like "HA" or "HI" to affect another as well. Mine was a typo! I know they use those letters because I, as a corporate whistleblower with homosexual tendencies, have been bullied by a very diverse group. A group that has included "gays". Isn't that sad!
So sad, Cody u were a great kid, as i am sure all these kids were!
I agree with you. I am a strong Christian – not a follower of the words of men, priests, pastos…Just God.
Christ said that we are to love our brothers. No one walking this planet at this time has the authority, the right, to judge another human being for what he or she is. That is the job of God. God created gay people. Thus, they have every right to walk the face of this planet as every heterosexual. One of my best friends is a gay man.
And, one of my daughters fellow track athletes is a gay boy – who befriended her and made her experience so much happier when the other kids were involved in their little groups.
i've also thought about taking my life many time an have even tried but fell every time and even at this moment i think about it i guess u just get to the point were u dont have enough fight in u…………….and u just dont wanna deal at all wit the people in life…………..its beyound hurtful each an every day……going through u get sick and tierd even when standing up for your self all the time it shouldnt have to be that way each and every day………….just wanna be left alone……
I like how they keep saying their taking more action on “anti-bullying” and yet there are still so many deaths and defeated self esteems. Teachers and school dont do shit. Shame, shame, shame, on all of them.
Cody J. Barkers name is in the Make it Stop music video by Rise Against (its a band). I thought I would look him up and that is REALLLLY sad :(
RIP bro
What brought me to this article was Make it Stop by Rise Against. Being a big fan of the band, I looked up the meaning of the song just to see other peoples’ opinions and that’s when I found out that all of this was real. I have been picked on in the last few years so I have a little bit of a taste of what went on but not as severely. Based on everything I’ve read, this has been such an unfortunate incident and I hope the people that caused all of this have been taught a VERY valuable lesson. I only hope the best for anyone else who has gone through a similar situation. It willl all get better soon!
It’s sad that people can’t be stronger and that others have to be so cruel. But as I was taught by my parents and grandparents, it’ a cowards way out to take your own life. A permanent end to a temporary problem. No Good!