Ask Lambda Legal

Just last month in this column we discussed antigay bullying in our Back to School issue. It is with a very heavy heart that we revisit this issue after the very recent suicides of at least four teens.

Tyler Clementi. Seth Walsh. Billy Lucas. Asher Brown. They didn't know each other, and their home states—New Jersey, California, Indiana and Texas—spanned the map. But the four young men took their own lives within three weeks of each other, all apparent targets of antigay bullying and harassment based upon their orientation or nonconformity with stereotypes about masculinity.

Their stories grabbed headlines, as have a few of the many similar tragedies in the past, before the spotlight moved on. But those of us at Lambda Legal and other organizations that work for the rights of LGBT youth know that there are thousands of young people across the country at any given time facing similar circumstances. And like those four young men, many take their own lives and are accorded far less attention.

Clementi, an 18-year-old freshman at Rutgers, jumped off the George Washington Bridge after his roommate allegedly violated his privacy and webcast live images of him during a sexual encounter. Walsh was 13 and hanged himself, as did Lucas, who was 15, and. Chase, 19. Brown, also 13, shot himself in the head. In spite of the differences of age and geography, each incident had one thing in common: all were targeted because they were gay or were perceived to be gay, or otherwise did not conform to gender stereotypes.

It's not surprising these particular losses attracted attention; losing one young person because of bigotry and hate is too much—but two, three, four? Each person and story is unique and tragic, but taken together, they deliver a powerful and painful message: We must act urgently and do everything in our power to end the prejudice and protect our youth.

Clementi's roommate and an alleged accomplice may face criminal charges for what they did. But in any situation where a young person is bullied, there's plenty of guilt to go around: the coach or teacher who says nothing, parents who fail to act, an LGBT community and any potential allies who stay silent. Sympathy is not enough—we all have a responsibility to take action, and to keep working until all young people are safe and respected, no matter what their sexual orientation or gender identity. We must push for laws on the federal level and in every state that prohibit bullying and discrimination. We must hold people accountable, and use the courts when necessary. And most importantly, we must love and teach all our children to be their best selves and to respect and support others to do the same.

Join the nationwide Week of Action sponsored by the Make It Better Project and help spread the word. On October 12, call or email your senators and representative and insist that they pass the Safe Schools Improvement Act and the Student Non-Discrimination Act.

And don't forget that you can get more resources and support from us here at Lambda Legal, and from groups like the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), the Trevor Project and others. For more information, download our safe schools toolkits, Out, Safe & Respected and Bending the Mold. You can also write to us using our online form or call our Legal Help Desk at 866-542-8336.