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News: Another Gay Teen Kills Himself
Member Since: 7/22/2010
Posts: 16,134
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Another Gay Teen Kills Himself
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“He kept telling me he had a rock on his chest—he just wanted to take the rock off where he could breathe.”
Those were the words of Ruby Harris, grandmother of 14-year-old Phillip Parker, who took his own life last week after enduring constant bullying for being gay.
WSMV 4 in Nashville reports Phillip’s family reported the situation to administrators at Gordonsville High School several times, “but the bullying by a group of students just got worse.”
We’re getting tired of writing these stories, as we’re sure you are of reading them. Whatever systems are in place—”It Gets Better,” the Trevor Project—clearly aren’t working. So what’s the solution?
- Should we focus on anti-bullying legislation? Is it even worth trying to stop something as endemic and ancient as bullying?
- Should we discourage kids this young and living in such unwelcoming environments from coming out?
- Do we teach LGBT tweens and teens how to defend themselves—thus perpetuating the cycle of violence?
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SOURCE
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CARTHAGE, Tenn.- The family of an openly gay teen who committed suicide Friday said it was a direct result of bullying at school. Now the parents of Phillip Parker have questions for leaders at Gordonsville High School.
"A sweet kind person like Phillip took it out on himself, he killed himself to get out of the pain," said his grandfather, Paul Harris.
At just 14, just a child, 8th grader Phillip Parker felt like life just wasn't worth living.
"Because he was gay, he got mistreated physically, mentally by several people out there at the school, and I am very resentful as a result of it," said Harris.
Parents and grandparents found Phillip's body Friday afternoon, minutes later they found a handwritten note in his trash can that read 'Please help me mom'.
"I should have knew something was wrong, but he seemed happy," said his mother, Gena Parker.
"Verbal abuse is just as bad as physical abuse," said Harris.
These grieving parents want to know what was said to their son and more importantly, who said it.
"We are going to find out who done it, we are going to get justice for Phillip and you will pay for what you did to my son," said Parker.
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SOURCE
 
What can we do about this epidemic?
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Member Since: 8/20/2011
Posts: 8,848
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My condolences. 
A stricter legislation towards bullying -especially those with homophobic intentions- in the school system...
...Is the quick answer, but certain organizations won't allow it. 
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Member Since: 11/8/2011
Posts: 14,458
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Member Since: 12/24/2010
Posts: 37,039
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He looks like Liam  RIP 
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Member Since: 7/22/2010
Posts: 16,134
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Quote:
Originally posted by Haus_of_Will
My condolences.
A stricter legislation towards bullying -especially those with homophobic intentions- in the school system...
...Is the quick answer, but certain organizations won't allow it. |
He's in Tennessee, where lawmakers are trying to pass a law making it illegal for teachers to mention homosexuality in school
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Member Since: 6/17/2011
Posts: 16,910
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Rest in Peace.
I don't remember hearing about this many gay teens killing themselves as much as I have in the last two years. 
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Member Since: 12/13/2011
Posts: 6,392
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My word. He was cute... may his soul Rest In Peace. This is not fair . It needs to stop..
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Member Since: 6/9/2011
Posts: 16,500
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Wow, so unfortunate. My heart caved in when I read "please help me, mom." just the thought of being a parent then have to discover the body of your child and read something like that, by then it was too late to do anything. What's even more sad is that he came off "happy" at home but in reality he was quite troubled. I despise people who are bullies, this **** has got to stop. And those bullies probably won't face any charges, they'll just move on to a new victim to pick on. 
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Member Since: 9/11/2011
Posts: 2,562
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Member Since: 12/16/2011
Posts: 11,007
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Quote:
Originally posted by Regina George
He looks like Liam RIP |
That's the first thing that came to my mind when I saw the pic too!
But nobody, regardless of sexual orientation, deserves to be bullied. My condolensces to his family and friends.
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Member Since: 6/3/2011
Posts: 14,194
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I have never witnessed this kind of bullying tbh. It must be horrible.
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Member Since: 12/22/2009
Posts: 23,538
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Truly Sad!
But what's saddens me the most is the lack of strength, courage, & life people that commit suiside have.
I know life's hard, but liking men isn't that hardest thing in life. People are born with disabilities, horrible tumors or have deathly accidents etc.. Some people want to live longer. It's just sad that people arnt stronger mentally. And that through life away!
Bulliers are just as sad! Why bully? I mean just live you life and let others live theirs.
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Member Since: 6/3/2011
Posts: 14,194
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Quote:
Originally posted by chris1991
Truly Sad!
But what's saddens me the most is the lack of strength, courage, & life people that commit suiside have.
I know life's hard, but liking men isn't that hardest thing in life. People are born with disabilities, horrible tumors or have deathly accidents etc.. Some people want to live longer. It's just sad that people arnt stronger mentally. And that through life away!
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That's easy to say when you're all good.
God knows what they did to that poor kid and how he felt.
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Member Since: 10/5/2010
Posts: 11,469
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I feel so sad for his family. May he rest in peace. 
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Member Since: 7/22/2010
Posts: 16,134
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Quote:
Originally posted by Cz!
That's easy to say when you're all good.
God knows what they did to that poor kid and how he felt.
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I hope they get brought to justice. They deserve serious punishment because of what they did.
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Member Since: 5/31/2011
Posts: 1,273
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So unfair I can't believe society hasn't come further than this...
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Member Since: 11/24/2006
Posts: 24,963
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Stupid. Stop writing about it, it only gives more ideas to the kids.
Im here for a "If you suicide you will go to hell, it's way worse" campaing.
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ATRL Contributor
Member Since: 4/20/2011
Posts: 4,875
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May he rest in peace.
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Member Since: 12/10/2010
Posts: 23,117
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This is disgusting. I hate prejudice. These Bullies should be put on trial for murder. I have to ask and I hope this doesn't seem racist but why does this keep happening in the US? I know their's homophobic bullying everywhere but it seems to happen the worst in the US. I live in the UK and I got **** for being gay but never to the point where I feared my safety or felt suicidal. RIP Phillip. I hope your family get the justice and closure they need.
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Member Since: 7/22/2010
Posts: 16,134
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Quote:
Originally posted by MrDeeds
Stupid. Stop writing about it, it only gives more ideas to the kids.
Im here for a "If you suicide you will go to hell, it's way worse" campaing.
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How horrifically insensitive... We can't just ignore it and pretend it will go away
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