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Why We Will Continue To Fight And Be Very Vocal For Equality
Filed under: Gay Gay Gay > Sad Sad
This is absolutely heartbreaking.
Another young life lost!
11 year old Jaheem Herrera of Stone Mountain, Georgia, took his own life last week because his fellow classmates at Dunaire Elementary School harassed and bullied Herrera for thinking he was gay.
He was just 11 years old!!!
Jaheem's 10-year-old sister discovered her brother hanging from a fabric belt in his bedroom, no longer alive.
Herrera's stepfather said homophobic bullies at school would taunt and name-call his stepson, a 5th grader, repeatedly calling him "gay and a snitch." The boy was even brave enough to tell teachers and faculty at his school about the harassment, but the bullying continued.
Jaheem's tragic loss comes just weeks after the suicide of a Massachusetts boy, Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover, who also suffered bullying because classmates thought he was gay, attracted national attention.
He was 11 as well. His mother found him hanging from an extension cord in the family’s home.
For more information on what you can do if you or someone you know is being bullied at school, CLICK HERE!
this world is so effed. too sad for words.
What a fucked up country…
Then I can expect to see hammering Obama because of his anti gay marriage stance? In three, two, one….
"Although Barack Obama has said that he supports civil unions, he is against gay marriage. In an interview with the Chicago Daily Tribune, Obama said, "I'm a Christian. And so, although I try not to have my religious beliefs dominate or determine my political views on this issue, I do believe that tradition, and my religious beliefs say that marriage is something sanctified between a man and a woman."
OMG. My eyes got watery. SOOOOOOO SAD!!
That's horrible.
Re: lavandierra – and i guess you're perfect, huh? I bet one of your kids is gay. Or maybe both… for some reason, there is always a gay kid in families where there are strong "values". I truly hope that at least one of your kids is gay so that you shut the hell up and learn a lesson, you hick.
I agree that everyone is entitled to an opinion, but if they're gonna be mean and ignorant when stating it, then they just become redneck bigots.
Re: chels23 – Several.
this is sooooo sad =[[[
it honestly makes me mad && those bullies WILL get their KARMA
i almost was one of these kids i wanted to kill myself and others but i just said fuck em to bad he did not do what i did rest in peace lil homie
Re: Disturbed – This has a lot to do with it - it's about fighting bigotry and hate as a whole system. I'm a straight female, but I'm also very concerned that gays are still hated on. If you don't like a person for their personality that's fine, but don't hate on a whole group of people that you've never met just because of one aspect of their lives….how would YOU like to be treated this way? It's people like you that make this world such a disgusting and DISTURBED place.
I don't like the title you put on this Perez. This has NOTHING to do with equality. This is all about TOLERANCE. Parents need to teach their children that not everyone is alike. There are whites, blacks, hispanics, Native americans. People can be tall, short, skinny, fat, etc. I think you get the point. I have a child who is 14 she is 4'7. She will not grow any taller. Kids make comments. I have taught her to ignore the idiots because they are not the type of kids that you would want to be friends with and also, one day they will get theirs. Karma is a bitch. I know that some kids can't handle things, but it is up to the schools and parents to deal with these situations. Also, honestly, parents need to tell their kids on a daily basis how worthy they are. Don't just tell your kids, "oh don't listen to them." Affirm to them how important they are. I'm sorry but a lot of parents today feel that their kids are more of a burden than a blessing.
This is terrible. It shouldn't happen.
R.I.P jaheem…
perez,
i don't understand you because you're a hypocrite. how come it's ok for you to bash celebrities every day and say how YOU feel without getting crap for it, but it's not ok for anyone else? i could care less if gay people want to get married, but i also know people have a right to say something if they DON'T agree. at least ms. CA stayed true to her beliefs. would you have been happier if she would have lied? just to please you? you should be more focused on your own problems for once.
This is so sad and really hits close to home. I grew up in Stone Mountain and am now a fifth grade teacher. Unfortnatley some kids say things and do things without knowing or understanding their consequences. My prayers are with the familes of all involved.
i'm not gay, but i think it's incredibly sad when kids are killing themselves because they were born gay. and it's crazy that so many people (58%?) in the usa think being gay is a choice. wake up people!
most. i did
Re: Big Black Dick – THANKS FOR JUST JUSTIFING MY COMMENT!
it is really sad i hope does kids that bullied him get teached a lesson cuz that is fuckin messed up!! God bless Jaheem Herrera!
Saw where you tweeted this to Ellen. I'm pretty sure she had his mom on the show today long before you sent her that. Which means she was well aware of the incident and didn't need you to "let her know". Ellen is involved and active in gay rights and yet knows how to be respectful of other people's opinions as long as they don't cause harm to someone else…
Re: dmddmd – Are you gay?
Re: jessa32 – I agree 100%
This issue is all about tolerance/respect of other people. Equality and tolerance/respect are not the same thing.
Re: Disturbed –
A little boy was so depressed with his life that he killed himself and your just writing shit on the post dedicated to him your disgusting. Have some respect, if u must be a dick do not do it on a post like this!!
This is such a sad story, I was close to tears.
rest in peace boys.
I rarely cry but this brought me to tears instantly…I have a son and I just feel awful to know that something like this could happen to him, I hope that somehow his family can get through this…this is what happens when the adults teach their children hate.
Re: Oh Please –
You are such an insensitive prick
Re: Disturbed – your lame
If my child ever bullied another child like that I would be so ashamed. How sad that this poor child felt there was no other hope for him. I also feel so bad for the little sister that found him. Tragic on so many levels.
awwww! thats so sad! the poor kid…rip
poor kid!
No where in this article is Carrie Prejean mentioned at all so why are people dragging her name into it. This is supposed to be about a tragic event not some beauty contestant. The only slight connection is that the kids were presumed gay why are you all talking about ms cali you should be thinking about the poor boys and their families.
RIP Boys
This is So Sad!!
Sadly "some" of the churches are to Blame First!!
Another life Lost partly due to Religion!!
That's really so sad and horrible!!
Bullying is way too tolerated in schools these days. It starts with parents though.. If it is allowed in the home…. My heart breaks for the families of these boys. God Bless.
that is sooo sad poor little boy why are children sooo cruel …. and i blame the school for not doing anything about it…
Re: Disturbed – You are not helping anything are you ?
God this is so sad in horrible. You see people. This is what happens when you unfairly judge people. Its not up to you to judge. If you are a TRUE CHRISTIAN, you LOVE people no matter what.
So…fighting for gay marriage and equal rights will stop narrow minded people from making fun of gay people? Calling people that don't agree with your beliefs on the gay thing is ok tho.
So, let me get this right….belittling someone, calling them names and giving out their personal info so people can attack them is ok BUT doing the same exact thing to someone who is gay is bad?
Re: Disturbed – Have a fucking heart, Disturbed! Have you NOT been paying attention lately? Perez HAS been doing a "damned thing" by promoting equality and the importance of love and fairness. Perez hasn't done anything about this since the election? Really? 'Cauuuse I'm pretty sure he put himself out there at Miss USA, against everyone in the audience and the whole nation by asking a question about legalizing gay marriage. He is merely standing up for what he believes in and is defending innocent people like this kid. If you don't think he's been doing "a damned thing," I suggest you open your eyes and pay attention to what he's been promoting and obviously how important it is to him and other people who don't have as "loud" of a voice in society. Quit being an ignorant asshole - have a heart and grow up a little.
See, look what people like Ms. Calirofnia are creating in this world. This is so sad.
Beyond sad & 100% BULLSHIT ! What kind of teachers would let this crap happen after the poor kid went up and told them he needed help ?
I don't care for parents that are quick to bring legal action against a school, but I would not blame this family at all. Not to mention the little shits that pushed a child to take his own life !
Are you running for some office? If you do I will vote for you!
Asswipes that say what does this have to do with gays marring are stupid. This is about equality for all. This young boy had a right to LIVE the way he wanted without being tormented by his peers.
This is so sad.
i love how a bullied 11 year old commits suicide and somehow it's his own fault. Good job America.
RIP baby boy.
Re: da next big thing –
"for some reason, there is always a gay kid in families where there are strong "values"."
I honestly think God makes children of people like her gay so they can learn tolerance.
Also, I am sick of religious people using religion as the reason the being gay is wrong. I think everyone, including gay people, were created in God's image, and God loves everyone on earth. I think people have whatever sexual orientation they have for a reason.
Jesus said love everyone. If you are intolerant of gays, or believe that gay people are an abomination, then you are not a good christian. period.
Re: Disturbed – Actually initiating that question has sparked the debate around America which is potentially the most significant thing in the movement for gay rights in a while.
I will start out by saying this is very sad for a child to lose a life, but the fact of the matter is that ALL children are victims of bullying in one way or another at some point in their lives, but its up to the child to take it the way they want to take it.. What about all the kids that get bullied for being fat? Or different? Come on.. I really have no tolerance for suicide and its a long term solution to a short term problem, there obviously is more behind this story than just "I was bullied at school for being called gay!" SECONDLY and MOST IMPORTANTLY.. THIS SHOULD TYPE OF REPORT SHOULD NOT EVEN BE ON THIS SITE! And here's why; there are numerous children across the county that commit suicide everyday, and you NEVER see it on the news.. Want to know why?!?… Because when a child sees this type of news portrail, they think its the "cool" new thing to do! It is diguisting that u even post this crap PEREZ! I repect u and love your website, but I personally think u can show your gay rights by posting something other than a child commiting suicide again, you never know who is looking at this stuff and yes, children are children and shouldn't be looking at this crap, but come on, this should never be in the media of any kind!!
es una verguenza ke en el 2009 estemos lamentando algo asi, mis condoloencias a los deudos de este pekeño ke fue victima de todos nosotros ke somos hipocritas por ke apoyamos lla igualdad pero ke a la hora de votar nos hechamos para atras y les damos la espalda, lo uniko ke nos keda es educar a nuestros hijos a ser fuertes y ke ignoren las burlas, no es justo ke gente este llorando la perdida de un niño ke fue el blanco de las burlas y ke Dios los perdone, por ke para Dios todos somos iguales, lo ke es de verdad malo es discriminar, estoy muy molesta por ke tengo un hijo y siento un gran dolor tan solo de pensar ke puede ser victima de gente ignorante y retrograda ke solo kiere criticar y agarrar a alguien de burla, TODOS SOMOS IGUALES ANTE LOS OJOS DE DIOS.RIP JAHEEM
PEREZ IS A HATER!!!!!!! OH, YEAH, AND LET'S ALL VOTE FOR GAY MARRIAGE SO NOBODY ELSE COMMITS SUICIDE.
and p.s. To the idiots that are blaming the bullies its not their fault the kid hung himself, its up to the child to go to the parents and talk openly about it! I am a mother of 3 myself and my oldest being 11, yea they've been called names and I personally as a parent deal with it!! You don't see my kids taking their own lives! And to add.. The media doesn't tell you everything behind this, hence don't always believe what you read!! Now that the suicide is because about being called "gay" its a tradegy!?… Like EM said .. "Middle american, now its a tragedy, now its so sad to see, they blame it on marilyn, but where were the parents at?!" Words to think about!!
HEY PEREZ YOU IDIOT
You claim this story is so tragic and express heartfelt grief for the two deaths, yet it is all the while scumbag parasitic vermon like you that are responsible for their deaths!
Look at the fucking background and page theme of your corporate whore website- PROMOTING THE NEW FUCKING FILM ENTITLED "FIGHTING"
"FIGHTING" a film whose entire premise is based around STREET FIGHTING
You are a complete fucking moron. IT is films like this that promote the ida that it is okay to violently assault one another and encourages both fighting and bullying. It provides a horrible example to follow and it also drastically lessens the general opinion/knowledge about what real violence entails.
Thirty years ago, a casual fist fight which would only see a few punches landed and maybe a black eye was a standard way to end an argument. Nowadays, with a much increased interest in heavy weight lifting and the promotion of martial combat as a hobby and sport, the potential for serious bodily damage is increased ten folds - where fights today are leaving victims in hospitals, in comas, and dead.
But the fact of the matter simply is that it is scum bag people like you that care nothing except about the profit of your ad revenues and don't even realize what a joke you are.
IF YOU REALLY CARED ABOUT EITHER FUCKING KID YOU WOULD NEVER HAVE AGREED TO WHORE YOU BLOG OUT TO THE "FIGHTING" MOVIE.
YOU STUPID FUCKING IDIOT.
This is just awful. Thoughts and prayers go out to the family. People can be so cruel and mean. I can not imagine losing my son or daughter at a young age. Those kids and school should be held accountable.
Re: corncob –
Obviously your kids weren't bullied to the extent that this kid was. Just because your kids haven't experienced something, does not mean it does not exist. Bullying goes beyond name calling. You've obviously never been a victim of bullying or else you wouldn't have said something so naive.
Perez, with all due respect, you are no differant from the bullys out there. You continue to talk shit about this whole miss USA thing, putting your own "opinion" about the siuation..but when someone else states their opinion having to do with gay marriage (A QUESTION YOUUUUU ASKED –knowing it would agree or disagree) you take this to another leval.
I say, don't ask questions if you don't want opinionated answers…
R.I.P jaheem.
This just breaks my heart. I think most gay kids have suicidal thoughts because kids make them feel like they are not worthy. I am going to have to find time in my schedule to mentor the gay youth in my community. someone needs to step up and make these kids understand that they are just fine and worthy
And obviously you believe everything you read! Take it with a grain of salt, you don't know the whole story here and as a person studying psychology, a lot has to do with the parents and the child shouldve told his parents and if he did then the parents should have addressed the issue, this is terrible anytime I hear of anyone dying, but unfortunatly some parents aren't that involved in their child's lives and should be! But, again children have always teased and that's not gonna change, so don't be so niave to thing that name calling will ever stop!! Point being, its not the other kids fault that this boy took his own life, its easy to point fingers, but maybe stuff like this wouldn't happen if the child had a strong support system!
I hope those kids responsible for the bullying get expelled or some sort of consequence to make them understand this is completely unacceptable in society. I think this is a big form of child abuse, especially with many kids and teenagers committing suicide BECAUSE of bullying or any emotional abuse from either peers or family. I have zero tolerance for bullying, its sad to see the hurtful consequences of what happens to these poor victims. My heart goes out to the families of these children
You've stepped in it now Mario.
Hilton also appeared on NBC's "Today," explaining that he demands a Miss USA winner be "politically savvy" and that even though Prejean is a Christian, he doesn't want her "talking about Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, because that's offensive."
A legal analyst told Fox and CNN News Prejean may have grounds for a discrimination lawsuit.
"It's her religious beliefs which prompted her to say 'I don't believe in same-sex marriages,'" analyst Mercedes Colwin said. "So she was espousing her beliefs," and has reason to sue for violation of Title VII, which prohibits discrimination based on religion.
Fucking gay bigot.
xxxxxx
I love Perez. He, unlike many other celebrities, has never hidden the fact that he is gay- even when it leaves him completely vulnerable to attacks- physical and verbal. Everything he has said and done in the media concerning gay rights is only a positive thing- change will only happen if people speak out. If people are on here complaining- then stop reading his blog. Simple as that. I love you Perez!
Again, why aren't teachers and administrators doing more to control bulllying in schools? Who's in charge? So sad.
that made me cry
its so sad ELEVEN!!!my God
Re: chels23 – I knew at 5
Re: Disturbed – just being yourself and open is doing something for gay rights so take the anger and do something positive…like maybe fuck off
Re: esmereldagreen – While I do agree with the majority of your opinion perez is a hypocrite and i do love him when he gives the daily dose of Efron/Twiligh cast, etc..when he sticks to what he does best gossip. However, for someone who is codemning bullying of little kids but yet has gone on to call 16 year old girls sluts? Its a bit fucked up. And as for the word "gay" being offensive…have you not read his posts before-calling fellow homosexual men gayliscious, and even his lable field is "gay,gay,gay" But I agree with you about why people tell perez to die, etc but continue to come on his site-though your comment was good they really don't care what either one of us has to say about them coming on here
OMG….YOU are the biggest Bully there is!! What is worse, is you have the whole world coming to your site, not just a couple of hundred people. You bully kids and then you have the nerve to put this story on as if you have any fucking compassion?!
;( r.i.p
stupid kids these days
As for this dear sweet angel I am saddened that kids are so mean nowadays and so mean. This says something about us a society-where it's seen in the media, at home, etc that sends the message to children that it's okay to treat others in this fashion. This makes me wonder what the parents could've done to prevent this, and obviously makes me question the schools' disciplinary system-It makes me fucking sick. Kids/Teens today have no fucking respect for their themselves and anyone else. And I am sorry but if the law didn't get involved so much with how parents raised their children then maybe parents could actually get a grip. I was in a CVS the other day and this woman was with her son, she threatened to spank him when they got home…and the little boy actually told her he'd call child services on her! Then proceeded to yell back at her!!! I was shocked..!!
u know what im not sad.. suicide makes me sooooooo angry!!!!!! only an idiot would kill themselves. way to be selfish u idiot! hurt ur sister jurk. ur worse than gay!!!!!! and perez ur only gay cause u wana be gosh whats wrong with u. homosexuality is wrong! BUT God and i have nothing against a "gay" person just a lot against the lifestyle. its wrong and hurtfull. quit serching for attention.
perez forgot to mention the nations only 24-hour suicide prevention hotline for LGTBQ youth…. www.thetrevorproject.org
mario, unfair, stop the shit now, killing oneself cause of this shit is soo not right, god be with him
////////
God be with him, and Perez, stop the shit now
Re: gemma0505 – children today have too much power/freedom and in this damn day and age the parents are too tired from overworking to keep their homes/provide for the children that they just arent home enough to actually raise their children or be there for them…its so sad…and i don't think the teachers care anymore…they just count away the minutes ticking on the clock (NOT ALL of them…but most of them!)
Re: Uker – seek therapy.
Re: mbass917 – Yes Thank you! Ellen is such an inspiration to the cause. I love how she is focused on living her life, while educating others when it comes to gay equality! She doesn't throw hissy fits or shove things down your thoart when you disagree…I wish perez would take after her! he has such passion but doesn't know how to communicate/act like an adult…if he learned from her he truly would be a great leader in the fight for equality! He is in the perfect position but instead of shedding positive light on the issue he is bringing controversy and negativity! I hope he can get it together, I would be the first one to apologize/congratulate him!
this all sounds way too familiar, same exact thing happened to my cousin and i know how extremely painful something like this is. my heart goes out to his family. RIP =[
We have to put a stop to this!!
Re: donie178 – He was 11 you fuck. It's a tender, confusing age. Watch your fucking mouth.
People who are against equal rights and gay marriage LOVE seeing something like this! They hate ALL gays and think they don't even deserve fair treatment.
That poor kid must've been in a lot of pain. This makes me really sad and want to fight for MY and his equal rights even more!
I disagree with "Disturbed", you do something. You make so many people aware of what simple things they do can lead to, like little comments about sexuality can lead to an innocent little 11 year old's suicide.
This is why people like Miss California shouldn't make those comments, because people can start to take everything so seriously and their self esteem just drops.
I'm so sick of people not thinking about what their actions will lead to. :/
Re: Disturbed – it's not just about marriage…its about basic human rights….so yeah, I guess this does have something to do with it then :]
I don't see the link between gay marriage and being bullied at school. Both of the recent suicides are heartbreaking tragedies. I hope the parents sue the pants off the school districts for failing to protect their children from bullying. To the poster(s) who said how can a child know at 11 know what sex he/she prefers, it's not uncommon to know at such a young age. I'm sure many gay people will tell you they've known they were gay since they were 5. It's no different than a 5 year old heterosexual kid crushing on the opposite sex.
If people lived for God. And taught their kids about God then we probably would not have all of the problems in School also in the world. We took God out of schools and put police in their place.
Re: Disturbed – you are so pathetic DISTURBED! You are always one of the first to comment on perez so if you hate him so much stop reading! Dumb fuck
This is a truly tragic story, but I don't see how "equality" has anything to do with it. If he were name called by any other basis (for example, if the classmates used racial slurs), the legal result would be the same. Name calling isn't a crime. The kid isn't being denied equal rights.
This is absolutely horrible!!! I remember going through that bullshit in high school and it is not fun… Thank you Perez, for being so outspoken! I might not agree with your musical tastes i.e. Britney and Madonna because everyone knows Xtina is sooo much betta… However, I applaud you for putting yourself out there and championing the debate of gay marriage. The Miss USA pageant has been such a debacle but I trust for good reason…
Re: corncob –
Maybe the bullies didn't have parents to tell them to cut it out.
The point is…no support system can help with the cruelty of children.
Reading about something in your psychology class is not the same as actually living something.
Absolutely horrible. But alot of that hatred is caused by their parents. Kids don't learn this on their own.
I'm not religious…but I know that the bible says "LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR" and that if there is a god- we are all created in the light of that sentient being.
This applies TO ALL CHILDREN AND ADULTS- G,B,L,T, STRAIGHT- REDNECK, STUPID OR OTHERWISE. We all deserve the right to live and love the way we see fit!!!!!
WAKE UP PEOPLE- THESE COULD BE YOUR CHILDREN! Would you really love your son or daughter any less for wanting to be happy, even if that happiness included a partner of the opposite sex? If so, you don't deserve to be a parent.
I love my son NO MATTER WHAT- I love other people's children the same. We all matter.
this is a shame and a waste of such great potential. By teaching children to hate- YOU ARE ROBBING THEM OF INNOCENCE- THAT IS ABUSE!
This is too sad for words….. My prayers are for his family, for Jaheem is in heaven; a far better place than here xo I have to truly believe this to say it.
Come on now P this from a guy who bullied Lance Bass out.
Re: Disturbed – ….Why are you still coming to this site???
You hate Perez SOOOO much yet you cant seem to stay away…admit it…deep down inside you love him…lol
Re: Disturbed – Do us all a favor GO THE FUCK AWAY!!!!!
Re: Spindoc – THANK YOU!!! Well said.
I am very distressed at the tone of the debate on same-sex marriage. Look at how the leftists piled on Miss California, and displayed such scorn and hatred for her. Her crime is that she is against homosexual marriage as a social policy. When did it become a crime to respectfully express a view on an issue?
Miss California has probably made more of a positive contribution to society than that Perez Hilton guy ever will. Yet he is some kind of hero to the left because of his alleged courage in supporting same-sex marriage.
How much courage does it take to support same-sex marriage for a celebrity wanna be hanger on like Perez Hilton?
But again, why is the opposing point of view villified and attacked ad hominem? When by all accounts this is a girl who is doing some great things in her life and the lives of others, why must she be destroyed to score political points on the liberal issue of the day???????
Can you imagine what the reaction would have been if she had lashed out at him with gay name calling? Yet it’s ok for him to call her the B word, and say that he was really thinking the C word, and that’s all ok, because he supports the liberal cause of the day.
We live in an upside down world.
I have a little boy. I worry about him thinking it is allright to be gay when he grows up. I pray alot that he will learn right from wrong. I would rather him date or marry a female of a different race than the same sex.
Re: LilJoJo – I agree with you
Omg.. that is sooo sadd… Pobersito.. Kids need to stop being so mean.. Damn thats really messed up
The only reason an 11 year old would think they are gay is because all the fags pushing their agenda on society and young children.