Gays and Suicide

According to a recent study, the mental health of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) young people is severely compromised by bullying and harassment they receive in school; LGBT young adults report higher levels of depression and decreased life satisfaction; nine out of ten gay kids report being harassed; and gay adolescents are four times more likely than their straight peers to commit suicide.

On September 22, Rutgers University freshman Tyler Clementi, 18, committed suicide by jumping off the George Washington Bridge after his college roommate posted video on the internet of him having sex with another male. Clementi was the fourth victim of gay teen bullying that led to suicide within a one week period. That same week, Seth Walsh, 13, Asher Brown, 15, and Bill Lucas, 15, all took their own lives after suffering harassment from schoolmates for allegedly being gay.

We must show compassion to those we consider to be “different” or who we do not agree with. Compassion is a function of wisdom. It is very important to cultivate the wisdom of knowing how to be compassionate, and then practice being more skillful at it. We must recognize that nothing is self-subsistent; that all are interdependent; that existence is an inseparable whole, each one of us embracing the universe in its totality. This being true, it follows that we cannot attain genuine peace of mind merely by seeking our own salvation while remaining indifferent to the welfare of others. We must treat all peoples, all of creation, with respect and dignity, because in doing so, we are taking care of ourselves. For us to be completely free, we must free ourselves from all forms of discrimination. If we practice compassion and non-discrimination our children will do so too.

Intolerance in any form is hate. Therefore, a crime committed through intolerance is a hate crime. We have a moral and ethical responsibility to behave in ways that do not hurt other humans. We must raise our children to be decent people, not pathetic, sniveling hate mongers. Let us help to prevent gay suicides by standing up and speaking out against intolerance in all its forms.