Teen Commits Suicide Due to Bullying

[Judas]

A 14 year old boy who lives in Buffalo, New York, killed himself a few days ago due to bullies at his school who teased him for being gay, and for wearing Lady Gaga and Paramore t-shirts to school everyday.

On his Twitter account, he posted messages such as "i hope @ladygaga will follow me one day!!! She is why I live", "@ladygaga i need you, being bullied already. :c" and "i wish someone could care for me - but i realize no one wants to, because i'm a douche". His last tweet read "@ladygaga bye mother monster, thank you for all you have done, paws up forever".

I find it so tragic that a 14 year old boy has to turn to someone he doesn't know, Lady Gaga, for love and acceptance. I don't think kids realise what an effect their words can have when they think it's just all a little joke and a game with their friends.

Here's an article

WILLIAMSVILLE, NY - Tracy and Tim Rodemeyer say they're speaking out to help others avoid the nightmare they're going through right now. They say early Monday morning, their son, 14-year old Jamey, was found dead after an apparent suicide. He left no note. But they say he was bullied for years in middle school. Jamey even talked about it on a video he made on YouTube in May.

"People would just keep sending me hate, telling me that gay people go to hell," Jamey said in the video.

"It was a constant taunting," said Tracy. "The same people over and over."

The bullying got so bad the parents went to the school about it. Tracy and Tim say the school tried to stop it and succeeded at times. Jamey also went through counseling and learned to deal with it better. But it was tough. The bullies were mean.

"People would say, you're like a girl or whatever and then even some of them would say what are you gay," said Tracy. "And he did not like when he was being called those things."

Tracy says Jamey questioned his sexuality and they talked about it openly as a family, and that for the last year, he was doing well.

Jamey just started high school at Williamsville North three weeks ago. And his parents say he loved it.

"He was saying how great school was going, how happy he was, his grades were great," said Tim Rodemeyer. "[There was] No indication that he was in pain."

But Jamey's friends shined a different light on the situation after his death.

"They saw that the bullying was still happening but Jamey was handling it well," said Tracy. "It was nothing that he or anybody was concerned on."

"Do you think it just got to the point where he just couldn't handle it anymore?" 2 On Your Side's Josh Boose asked Tim, Jamey's dad.

"Yeah, I think so," Tim replied. "I think that's what happened. He fooled everybody. He put on a brave face and I wish he wouldn't have."

Tim and Tracy say they have a message for other parents:

"They have to teach their children to stand up for themselves and their friends and stop the bullies from bullying people," said Tim.

"It took him away from our family way too early and we're just convinced that he had a purpose on this planet and it was to touch as many people as he could," said Tracy.

And Jamey too was touched by someone: Lady Gaga.
He made a collage of himself at different stages in his life with Lady Gaga in the background. Jamey's parents say he embraced her theme of acceptance and equality.

Tracy and Tim think Jamey was put here to show people that being different is ok and that bullying is wrong and perhaps more of a problem than many realize.

"I think that was my son's number one mission in life, why he was put here a short time was to get that point out," said Tracy."And if that means I have to carry it on for him, I will."

Amherst Police are investigating the exact cause of Jamey's death. As of Monday night, they would not comment.

Williamsville Central Schools sent a letter home to parents explaining what happened. Grief counselors were on campus Monday.

Such a sad story

If you, or anyone you know do anything that could be considered bullying, whether there is "that kid" in school who you occasionally make one little joke about for a laugh with your friends, just consider what an effect "jokes" like that might be having on their life. Just imagine something like this happening to that kid, and how guilty you would feel. Such a young life wasted because of ignorance like this.

RIP to him.

[Aladdin]

DIS IS Y DERE SHUD B NO BULLYING

dis is tragic
R.I.P jamey!!

[Circadia]

This is one thing that truly sickens me. I had a lump in my throat through out reading this, its so sad that a young life has been wasted just because people couldn't keep the trap shut and just let this boy be! I can't even fathom why people would want to do this to fellow students and I hope the people that bullied him forever feel guilty about making a boy commit suicide.

[Judas]

This is one thing that truly sickens me. I had a lump in my throat through out reading this, its so sad that a young life has been wasted just because people couldn't keep the trap shut and just let this boy be! I can't even fathom why people would want to do this to fellow students and I hope the people that bullied him forever feel guilty about making a boy commit suicide.

And the worst part is that cases like these aren't as rare as they ought to be. It's a truly horrible thing :/

[AgnesIO]

Sickos bullying him. I hope the rest of their lives are as sad as they clearly made his.

A student at my local school hanged himself about 12 months ago - again due to bullying. People don't realise the affect it has on the victims.

I have never really been a bully as such, however will admit to "ribbing" a kid in my year for a while, but not like others would. I would never go out to hurt him or whatever, and we are actually friends now! I was bullied once by a kid a few years older than me, I just got fed up told the head teacher (that is how a year 8 rolls) and strangely enough, it stopped.

People need to speak out, and not let the bullies win.

[lawrawrrr]

Bullies, in any shape or form, are disgusting to me. It's not a joke, and I know so many schools are 'trying' to put a stop to it, but the truth of the matter is, I really don't think a detention or w/e is enough to wipe it out!! And what about online, too??

As far as this individual goes, it's a huge shame, and a great loss. For him to reach out to one woman who was so inspirational to him obviously shows us how desperate he was. RIP.

[Matthew]

What a shame. I hate it when I see bigger kids bullying little ones, or anyone bullying anyone for that matter. Luckily it doesn't appear to happen much at my school for various reasons though.

People just don't realise how much of an affect bullying someone can have .

[dbgtz]

Bullying is wrong yes, I don't know what the USA are doing in their education system in terms of it but obviously it isn't being dealt with well. However, in my eyes, people like him are cowards.

[beth]

as "uncaring" as it sounds, this is nothing new and is happening hundreds of times a day worldwide. just gonna name drop a charity i have raised a lot of money for here: www.mind.org.uk to anyone who is reading this story and sharing the pain he felt, there is always support.

[RyRy]

Bullying is wrong yes, I don't know what the USA are doing in their education system in terms of it but obviously it isn't being dealt with well. However, in my eyes, people like him are cowards.

In my eyes, *REMOVED*

BUT THATS JUST MY OPINION, which will no doubt be moderated for being insulting lul... cuz calling someone who committed suicide a coward isnt.

Edited by Infectious (Forum Super Moderator): Please do not be rude!