Hate the Heirloom.

            Young adulthood is a difficult time in any body’s life. It’s a time marked by blossoming independence, initial heartaches, and lots of good old parental conflicts. Aside from the everyday experiences of peer pressure, popularity contests, and simply trying to navigate through society, kids today are up against some hefty challenges. When you add being gay to the typical teenage challenges many gay children end up feeling scrutinized and carry a heavy burden of additional expectations and pressures. It's difficult to learn and become who you are when you know you're disappointing so many people, including your parents, in the process. When you're young and gay the pressure to be and feel loved and accepted is unbearable. Many times, because we feel early on that we have something we must hide, many of us repress not only our feelings but who we are entirely. This is the beginning of a long dark road. Repressing anything will almost always lead to a teen’s physical health being affected, their grades dropping, and in many times it may manifest as depression and/or anxiety. On top of the emotional weight, being introverted can also make a child the target for bullying or teasing. We all remember the stories of the merciless school bully... or being one for some and in the last couple years we have heard countless stories of teens bullying other teens to the point of suicide. 

I’m not sure why there was not more coverage over the incidents. Apparently the American media would rather play smoke screens than figure out why our kids are killing themselves at such an alarming rate. Nothing's been done. The media’s coverage in the past was narrow and people's lives were too easily forgotten. Where was the public outcry against the hate that made these kids feel like there was no hope? Who is going to take responsibility for this epidemic of discrimination and hate spreading through our schools and our nation? If things don’t change today kids will literally continue to kill themselves on our watch. Literally. They are giving up on life because we can’t seem to make a world where they feel safe and free enough to grow-up and become who they’re meant to become.   

What's worse? To know there are adults completely OK with segregating and demeaning other people and the fact that their ignorance and hate is handed down to their children is disturbing.  Historically, we've seen this happen again and again  Hate is passed on like an heirloom from generation to generation. Where do you think school bullies get their rage and lingo from? Someone has to tell you what the word “faggot” is and why or how to use it. It shocks me that people allow their kids to pick up their close-minded ideals. They approve the dislike of certain groups of people… as long as their gay people! Honestly, all types of discrimination and racism occurs every day to many different types of people. At one point or another, we've all been the target for misguided hate and/or bigotry. The cure? Truth and awareness. We need to start educating our children with facts so the cycle of world-wide discrimination ends already. Things need to change. We must bring back our hope for a better tomorrow and a peaceful future for our kids, for our neighbors, for us all.

LGBT Suicide Stats:  http://www.pflagnyc.org/safeschools/statistics

LGBT Suicide Hoteline: 866-488-7386 or  866-4U-TREVOR