Brave Gay Teen Shares Suicide Story To Save Others
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ― Gay and lesbian teenagers are two to four times more likely to commit suicide. Over the last few months, we've seen a number of high-profile examples.
Adam May reports on a young man who reveals why he almost ended his life.
The headlines are heartbreaking. Seth Walsh, 13, hanged himself after classmates in California picked on him for being gay. Zach Harrington, 19, took his life after listening to his neighbors rally against homosexuality for three hours in Oklahoma. Rutgers freshman Tyler Clementi jumped off a bridge after his roommate and her friend secretly recorded him having a same sex encounter, and then posted it on the Internet for the world to see.
"My heart sinks as soon as I hear anything like that," said Kris. "That could have been me, that was me."
Kris grew up in a small town on Maryland's Eastern Shore, where classmates bullied him because he's gay.
"Throughout middle school, I was pushed around, called derogatory names," said Kris.
He was called names like faggot.
"Hearing those names in my head, they don't go away," said Kris. "It got to the point where I did attempt to kill myself."
Four years ago, Kris downed four bottles of anti-psychotic pills. He was rushed to the hospital after a roommate found him near death.
He believes the bullying he endured growing up contributed to wanting to take his own life.
"What also made it worse for me was my younger sister was still in school, and I know she was getting bullied," said Kris.
Kris believes she was teased because he was gay.
"You feel like everyone else would be better off without you," said Kris.
"There's an extremely large bullying victimization culture that goes beyond gays and lesbians, but they seem to be a prime target," said Linda Goldman.
Goldman is a teacher at Johns Hopkins. She's written numerous books on teenage sexuality and suicide.
"The words 'dyke,' 'faggot,' 'you're so gay,' are ones that first-graders and kindergartens know and repeat," said Goldman.
In fact, a recent survey found nine of 10 gay and lesbian teenagers report being harassed. Three out 10 gay teens skipped school, fearing for their safety.
"When we ask ourselves, 'What's a matter with gay kids today?' I think the true underlying question, is 'What's a matter with a society that separates rather than unified?' 'What's a matter with a society where one segment feels morally superior to another segment?'" said Goldman.
Goldman believes some hateful rhetoric used in national debates over same sex marriage and "don't ask, don't tell" are fueling the problem.
"Policies that promote stereotyping and not accepting of one selves, absolutely leads to suicide ideation," said Goldman.
Goldman says individuals can make a big difference.
"There's several things we can do. Take a look at ourselves and our own prejudices, make sure [we] hear it in ourselves, and that will help us hear it in others," she said.
Kris hopes by sharing his story he can keep other teens from doing harm to themselves if they are gay and being bullied in school.
"Know you're not the only one," said Kris. "There's more out there, and things will get better. I was very lucky to survive."
Numerous organizations help gay and lesbian teens who are bullied. For a list of resources provided by Linda Goldman, click here.
