Log in

View Full Version : Boy who made "It Gets Better" video commits suicide

ShyGuyInChicago
September 21st, 2011, 03:08 PM
James Rodemeyer, 14-year-old in anti-bullying PSA video, commits suicide over anti-homosexual taunts

BY LARRY MCSHANE (http://www.nydailynews.com/authors/Larry Mcshane)
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Wednesday, September 21st 2011, 12:44 PM
http://assets.nydailynews.com/img/2011/09/22/alg_teen_jamey.jpg

YouTube

Jamey Rodemeyer tells teens that 'it gets better' in an anti-bullying YouTube video.


Several dozen people turned out Tuesday night in Williamsville (http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Williamsville), N.Y,, to express their sadness over the death of Jamey Rodemeyer (http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Jamey+Rodemeyer). A 14-year-old boy who once recorded an anti-bullying message was remembered at a vigil two days after taunts from his schoolmates led the teen to commit suicide.
The youth - whose parents says he was targeted by school bullies over his sexuality - was found dead outside his family's home on Sunday.
"He touched so many hearts, so many people," his mother, Tracy Rodemeyer (http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Tracy+Rodemeyer), told theBuffalo News (http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/The+Buffalo+News). "I didn't realize how many people he touched. He was the sweetest, kindest kid you'd ever know."
In his blog, Rodemeyer wrote painfully about his life - including one message posted just days before his suicide.
"I always say how bullied I am, but no one listens," the Williamsville North High School (http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Williamsville+North+High+School)student wrote Sept. 9. "What do I have to do so people will listen to me?"
The night before his death, the teen quoted a Lady Gaga (http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Lady+Gaga) lyric from her song "The Queen" on his Facebook (http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Facebook+Inc.) page: "Don't forget me when I come crying to heaven's door."
It was just four months ago that Rodemeyer posted a YouTube (http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/YouTube+LLC) video as part of the "It Gets Better Project" aimed at reassuring gay youths that life improved once high school was finished.
"Love yourself and you're set," he said. "I promise you, it does get better."
The teen began enduring online attacks with anti-gay taunts last year, which his family said contributed to the boy's adolescent unease.
"JAMIE IS STUPID, GAY FAT AND UGLY," read one nasty post. "HE MUST DIE!"
Tracy Rodemeyer thought her son had come to grips with the cyber-bullying.
"He used to cry about it, be sad and angry," she told the Buffalo News. "But lately he's been blowing them off - or at least we thought he was."


James Rodemeyer, 14-year-old in anti-bullying PSA video, commits suicide over anti-homosexual taunts (http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/2011/09/21/2011-09-21_james_rodemeyer_14yearold_in_antibullying_psa_video_commits_suicide_over_anti hom.html)


I have to say that I did not see this coming. I am unsure of what to make of this boy's tragic death. Many thoughts went through my mind. I just hope that the fact that he committed suicide will not discourage anyone who watched his video, or take away from the credibility of the It Get Better Project (that would be unlikely).
Ryhanna
September 21st, 2011, 08:18 PM
I heard about this, it's so sad. Especially seeing as he was trying to help others.. but couldn't cope himself. It's just so awful.

Lady Gaga is also fighting for tougher bullying laws because of this. I think it's wonderful that she's helping victims of bullying, but it's sad that it takes suicides for change to occur.
Riku
September 21st, 2011, 08:24 PM
Saw this earlier today, hate these popping up in my news feed. But I know it's going to happen....it's just a waiting game. I just hope each day I don't wake up to hearing about another suicide. Hope his death changes something in their county.
ShyGuyInChicago
September 21st, 2011, 08:41 PM
Because of events like this I think there needs to be tougher anti-bullying laws. Schools need to be forced to have tough anti-bullying policies that address all types of bullying including homophobic bullying. It also needs to be easier to report cyberbullying and the like to the police.

This would be my anti-bullying policy:

The bully would be separated from other students for a certain amount of time. He/she would be given a a detention or an in-school suspension or an out-of-school suspension. If the bullying is really severe he would be expelled or sent to a school for children with behavioral problems. If the bully is not sent to a special school or expelled I would require the bully to meet with the school social worker/school psychologist to get him to understand that his behavior is not normal and not acceptable.
Ryhanna
September 21st, 2011, 08:50 PM
I saw a suggestion earlier that bullying should be treated similar to truency. Personally, I think it's a good idea.
Sage
September 21st, 2011, 10:00 PM
This is so ironic it's practically real-world black comedy.
Skyhawk
September 21st, 2011, 10:17 PM
I saw the topic on Twitter when ABC published their blathering about it, I didn't read it but I sent it the HRC (Human Rights Campaign).

I hate bullying, it's a reason for many of my issues. It's this age people are just assholes half the time. The Internet is generally a battleground where trolls flock due to the anonymity, it's extremely detrimental to hundred of thousands of teens monthly.

I'll go look into this a bit more, OP thanks for posting.
SinisterMystery
September 21st, 2011, 11:06 PM
I cried when I heard about this. It's just awful, how could people make someone feel that death is the only way out?
Sage
September 22nd, 2011, 12:59 AM
It's this age people are just assholes half the time.

LOL. Oh man, wait 'till you grow up. A good number of the thick-headed assholes who push you around in school will become cops, who can literally get away with murder.
xDarkAngelx
September 23rd, 2011, 03:14 PM
Didn't know about this till I saw it on here. Very aweful and sad story. Some people are just un f*cking belieable, didn't watch the video but just had a look at some of the comments left and here I quote is one "ITs time to burn u piece of shit faggot". Some people.
Fiction
September 23rd, 2011, 03:35 PM
Why are some people such twats? They where probably having a "bit of fun", but it cost someone their life.
Kaius
September 23rd, 2011, 05:09 PM
Things like this disgust me, I feel for his family and I hope the people that pushed him towards doing that really get what they deserve.
BOBBY HILL
September 25th, 2011, 11:06 AM
so much for getting better
Tristin.
September 25th, 2011, 11:08 AM
in this context, was it murder or suicide?

R.I.P xxx
PoseidonX43
September 25th, 2011, 11:30 AM
this is really sad.. hopefully it does get better! Rest In Peace

~TFO
kuuliluuk
September 25th, 2011, 05:20 PM
How could we make bullying much more difficult? So that anyone trying to make fun of someone would think before acting? Also what could we make people feel stronger inside, so bullying won't hurt them so much?
Slytherin_Prince
September 25th, 2011, 05:28 PM
I cannot believe that this kind of intolerance against gay people still exists.
Bullying someone relentlessly for something they choose, for something as simple as their preferences, is barbaric, ruthless, inhuman, and not from this age.
No man or woman should ever have to face continuous taunts and insults just for the way they choose to live, especially not their sexuality.
I, quite frankly, am astonished, abhorred, and utterly gobsmacked by seeing that this is still allowed to happen.
I will say this: To me, pushing someone over the edge like this is plain murder, and not suicide.
The ones responsible MUST be reprimanded, judged, and sentenced properly. It is unacceptable to see this happening again.
For the brave individual whose life has ended prematurely, Rest In Peace.
And in his spirit: It gets better.

Most sincerely, and with respect,
Robert.
Dimitri
September 25th, 2011, 05:29 PM
I am so sorry that this happened, he was the very inspiration that many knew and used to come out. He will be missed.
BOBBY HILL
September 25th, 2011, 07:47 PM
I cannot believe that this kind of intolerance against gay people still exists.
Bullying someone relentlessly for something they choose, for something as simple as their preferences, is barbaric, ruthless, inhuman, and not from this age.
No man or woman should ever have to face continuous taunts and insults just for the way they choose to live, especially not their sexuality.
I, quite frankly, am astonished, abhorred, and utterly gobsmacked by seeing that this is still allowed to happen.
I will say this: To me, pushing someone over the edge like this is plain murder, and not suicide.
The ones responsible MUST be reprimanded, judged, and sentenced properly. It is unacceptable to see this happening again.
For the brave individual whose life has ended prematurely, Rest In Peace.
And in his spirit: It gets better.

Most sincerely, and with respect,
Robert.

being gay isnt a choice
Wicked_Syn
September 25th, 2011, 08:00 PM
Wow, that actually just left a bit of a hole in me. That's actually really sad.

People need to grow up and realize what they say and do to other people hurts. They might as well have put a gun to the young kids head.

Seriously, people piss the fuck out of me.
Underground_Network
September 25th, 2011, 08:26 PM
Life goes on. I need to get to writing my novel Hanging By a Limb about a 12 year old who commits suicide because of bullying in middle school and causes riots across his whole city (the storyline is far more complex than that, but that's just a taste). Maybe that'll be yet another media outlet to get people to realize that bullying fucking hurts and can cause people to go so far as to take their own lives. Why there are such assholes out there is beyond me. It's astonishing how terrible some people are.
Jupiter
September 27th, 2011, 08:29 PM
i am not pleased. how could anyone make fun of someone. i hope they have extreme guilt. they need it. they also need to be arrested.