Gay Abuse Turns to Suicide

I am an active member in Spectrum, the gay-straight alliance, and Greek Allies, an educational Greek program on LGBT issues.  I have heard countless stories of LGBT members being abused and I’m sick of it.  If a brother comes out and a fraternity turns their back on them, the school does nothing.  I know a member who had to move out of his own fraternity house because of the discomfort he felt after coming out to another member.

A close friend of mine just came out to me and she was unable to go home for Thanksgiving because the critique she endured when coming out to her parents.  Instead she stayed at her cousin’s house and had to deal with ridicule from her once close family.

There are many other incidents that happened on other college campuses.  Some of these led the student to commit suicide.  Here are some examples:

1. This is the most famous, the Rutgers sex webcast. http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-20018006-504083.html

2. This article discusses a youth in Michigan that committed suicide and it also outlines that most recent suicides.  http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/lenox-second-city/2010/11/yet-another-gay-teen-suicide-this-time-in-michigan.html

Lehigh needs to realize: There is nothing wrong with anyone who is a part of the LGBT community.  Stop the ridicule and using the word “gay” negatively.  It affects the whole campus, whether you notice or not.  It can also cause a LGBT member to be serious about committing suicide.  Don’t let this happen to your friends or your fraternity and sorority brothers and sisters.

Steven Chapman, Chicago Tribune columnist, discusses his own homophobia and how he gets over it in this article.  http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/ct-oped-chapman-dupe,0,2745886.column

Here is an article about gender on Facebook.  Many transgender people struggle with putting male or female up, especially if they are trying to hide their identity.  http://www.torontosun.com/life/2010/12/03/16416036.html

If you have a friend in need, please consult help on campus.  In the UC there is the rainbow room as well as the LGBT Services Director.  Also look at this link brush up on warning signs of suicide. http://www.gloucestertimes.com/lifestyle/x552967241/Profile-of-teen-suicide-Warning-signs-there-could-be-a-problem