This sort of bullying just about drives me to the end of my tether  Bless the poor soul

This is so sad...I know a chap that killed himself because he felt unaccepted for the way he was..tis a sad state a society is, when a person can't be themselves

That is really tragic. Sadly, as you have said PC, it is not unique.

This story from just yesterday. And it's not just in the USA that this is happening.

It is PC, everyday, i am very open with my kids and hope others are too. It just takes a few minutes everyday to sit down and talk to your kids and try to make them understand that we are not all the same and viva the difference.It has to start in the home IMO

I agree Peter. It makes one both angry and sad.  Agonizingly sad.

Much of the taunting and bullying comes from people who do not fully understand the effects and impacts of their actions. In fact they may never have given a seconds thought to what it might mean to be gay.   Taunting to them; total torment to the victim.
Sadly there are others who do understand and do know what they are doing.


The sheer inner turmoil, fear, loneliness, undergone by young gay people can be quite unbearable. Literally.


A few decades ago being gay and even the slightest contact or relationship was a criminal offence.  It is wonderful that things have progressed, but it is regretful that many still do not accept or understand.  The cogs move oh so slowly.
I wept at these posts Peter - but I am pleased you posted them.

Well said, Skylark. That's what I believe too.

Until this is talked about in primary schools, we will be relying on parents, relatives and friends to teach kids that there is nothing wrong in being gay.

And, sadly, that's where too many kids are getting the message that there is something wrong with it.

Secondary school is too late.

Truly sad in this day and age that schools tolerate this behaviour.

Unfortunately though whilst we have such programmes as Little Britain making fun of the only gay in the village..there will always be mocking of such human behaviour!
My eldest bro has been in tune with his homosexuality since the year dot for me & I know no different where he is concerned...it sickens me that folk can't see beyond there own noses at the wider picture!... Human nature I guess! There will always be bigots I fear!

Unfortunately, it's often parents who protest at this being discussed in primary schools.

I agree Blizzie, of course it must start very early in a childs education, bullying in early form does start in school when kids get together. There are, unfortunately, some very uneducated parents out there, who havent got a clue. Schools must take some responsibiity, kids are there from 8.30 till 3.30, and it is where they learn a lot about how to communicate and make friendships with each other, Bullying in any form must be nipped at the bud.Kids now are told in no uncertain terms not to be rascist, which is right, of course, but there are so many other ways of bullying going on that should have the same level of unacceptance

I agree, kids watch this shit and of course they take it with them outside and think it is "funny"

In recent times - just when tolerance and understanding may have seemed slightly more in evidence - the word "Gay"  has been used as mockery, or insult, or disapproval.

That reminded me of this clip, Brisket. Like him or loathe him, I think Simon Amstell made his point:

Usually in football terms i have noticed, i have never understood it myself . My son is a Hibbee and Hearts taunt them with "Hibbees are gay" Drives me nuts, Sorry if you dont understand that, Its Scottish teams

Another teenager commits suicide after same-sex revelations.


http://www.diversityinc.com/ar...al-Encounter-on-Web/


http://www.fridae.com/newsfeat...ng-sex-kills-himself


Precious lives thrown away.  Heartbreaking.

So sad.


My friend is gay, when he told me it was kinda funny because he sussed our other friend told me first so I already knew, but he does lots of awareness and runs a group to support those for all sexualities at College which has really taken off and benefiting in educating the students plus those who have problems to discuss or deal with about it.

Well done to your friend darlo  
The group and awareness stuff he does sounds excellent.  A smashing thing to do.

You said "my friend is gay".   That statement does you proud darlo. 

This type of story makes me so sad, of course peter.

But more than that it makes me so very, very angry.

One of my oldest friends who lives in a rural part of England has had his entire life blighted because of his preference. I met him in London and still live there so never even dreamt of how hard it has been for him.  I knew he was gay, all his friends who've known him as long as me knew it. But he didn't feel able to say it to us until 20 years had passed. And even then he only 'seeped out' to us as I put it to him, rather than come out. He still hasn't told his 90 year old father or anyone else in his family or community.

I find his lonely, emotionally unfulfilled life heartbreaking. 

My 11 year old nephew has just started secondary school. We have always been very clear about answering his questions and been especially swift to steer him away from prejudice of any sort. He came to me today and started to tell me about how people at his new school are using 'gay'... in otherwords, in a disparaging way and specifically about sexuality.

He said to me "I don't get it! What's wrong with gay?! Uncle Blah is gay and he's great! A bit mad, but great!" (oh, and of course he understands about homosexual love btw.)

I felt pretty proud. Hope he can keep this up in the teenage years.

I can understand you feeling proud of your nephew. Well done him!
2 very contrasting examples in your post Xochi.
How sad that your friend felt it best for him to take a course which emotionally isolated him from his family and friends. I suppose it was not even a choice in his mind.

I share your anger Xochi.
Lives are for living, and it is tragic that many feel they cannot do it fully simply because they are gay.
Thanks for your post Xochi

That's it exactly brisket. And that's his tragedy. For over 20 years he'd been afraid to tell us outright. Of course we'd all known and it had been utterly unimportant to us so hadn't brought it up. It had always been kinda 'meh' stuff.  Maybe that was our mistake, I don't know.

I have other gay friends who, because they had or do live in the city, have been able to go about their lives in a much more contented way in the same 20 years.

But the big revelation was rather a damp squid from his point of view, although if he'd expected shock and revulsion in any form he'd chosen the wrong set of friends!

And then you get complete tosspots like this: 50 CENT

Appalling stuff to say.
I am not saying it applies in the case of 50 cent, but I do know that many of those who protest too much are scared about their own inner thoughts, desires and inclinations being revealed.
Training the spotlight on somebody else can be a good distraction. They are often scared.
But stuff like the 50 Cent twitter is vile hatred.

Sad that he has almost 3.5 million followers.