Clementi, 18, was secretly videotaped by his roommate while having sex with another man. The video was streamed live over the internet, forcing Clementi to admit his once private sexuality.
The fallout and bullying he faced immediately following those events were enough to drive him to end his life. After posting a brief goodbye message via Facebook, he jumped from the George Washington Bridge into the Hudson River on Sept. 28. His body was found several days later, and the roommate is now facing a police investigation.
As if that wasn't horrible enough on its own, Clementi's suicide is one of over a half dozen by young gay men and boys this past month. The age range varied and they all came from different backgrounds, but for the most part, the cause was the same: bullying.
There is a huge ethical can of worms opened especially in the Clementi incident, but the second question I have to ask is where was the respect for this kid? Where was compassion?
Whether you support their sexual decisions or not, there is absolutely no reason for belittlement and humiliation in a society that supposedly prides itself in its diversity.
You won't find me talking about the orientations of these boys, or even the morality of their deaths; neither is the real issue. Religion or not, gay or straight, we all have the right to be treated with respect and common decency by those around us. That really moves well beyond social barriers.
And if by chance there is a GLBTQ individual reading this who is hurting, beaten, afraid, or on the verge of giving up: please don't. Reach out to those who you know are there for you, whether that person is a family member, friend, counselor, church member, anyone.
Just don't give up. We all suffer at the hands of other people, some of us bitterly. Be strong and have faith. Even the hardest times don't last forever. =) It gets better. We promise. (The It Gets Better campaign has gone viral in a matter of days online, as both GLBTQ people and their straight allies share encouragement to those who are in situations like Tyler's. It's beautiful, check it out.)
Here's Ellen DeGeneres, one of my favorite comedians who just so happens to be gay, speaking out on these tragedies.
There are others who speak out about the awfulness of bullying, but I don't understand why one would promote a homosexual person to speak about it on a blog that is of catholic faith. Yes, I know, we are to love one another, indeed. But the lifestyle Ellen has chose to live is Unatural and as the Catholic Catechism states is "intrinsically evil." Question; if she were Catholic, do you believe she has the right to receive communion? Thanks
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