netwrker/uk

I’ve been following this a lot since the news started breaking on Wednesday and it just moves me. I know in the USA there’s a lot of issue with LGBTQ youth in schools (to which almost anyone with power is largely ignoring), but I think this case is even more significant. Not least because it’s another in a long list of cries for help and/or release, but because for a short time, he had his brief, actual hope.

Despite his hardship for so long at the end of last year and the start of this, he started to see light at the end of the tunnel. Through family, friends, counselling and his music (with tribute to Lady GaGa there), saw hope, so much so that he recorded his own ‘It Gets Better’ video (this video). You can see the pain he’s been through when he talks and even though he is young he wants to pass a true message from someone going through it back out to those that need it.

Four months later, he killed himself.

All this hope, promise and belief that he managed to find in himself once again was taken way, beyond the point of no return, and one final sleep was the only way out he could now see.

All around this world, this must stop. The ignorance portrayed, and the hate give out, by Religion/the Religious or by those who see the world built around their morals, especially in those countries that consider themselves free and civilised, is really angering me. I know there are exceptions to the rule, and I know that there are those with faith that do truly follow the tenants of love, life and tolerance, but something must now give.

To those that use nothing more than belief and ignorance to perpetuate their hate, yet preach love, and want nothing more than to enforce their morals on everyone while at the same time extolling the virtues of freedom and choice - this boy’s blood is on your hands, along with all those before and any in the future that suffer this emptiness (although I hope with all my heart we are so close to the end).

I know my words can never mean much to him now and probably as a single person, my abilities to change the world, or even a small bit of it, are limited, but for as long as it takes, I will stand with those who are bullied or victimised for something they didn’t choose and is simple a part of who they are.