The untimely death of 14-year-old
Jamey Rodemeyer reminds us that homophobia is not only alive and well, but that
its roots continue to spread in a dangerous place: the minds of the younger
generations, the next great battlefield for the LGBT movement.
The teenager from Williamsville,
N.Y., took his own life on Sept. 18 after experiencing years of bullying in
middle and high school. Rodemeyer had come out in May to his friends and family,
and posted videos and articles on his blog as well as on a site that supports
LGBT youth, ItGetsBetter.org.
His parents were aware of the
problem when Rodemeyer was in middle school, but he had not expressed to them
the hatred he encountered in high school. He did, however, express his
grievances and struggles online in multiple blogs and videos.
Rodemeyer was a huge fan of Lady
Gaga and had posted a tweet to the singer the day of his death, saying, “bye
mother monster, thank you for all you have done, paws up forever.” The singer supports
“Jamey’s Law,” which would make bullying a hate crime, and has called on
President Obama to take action against bullying.
The homophobia and bigotry that
led to the young man’s suicide have continued even after his death. During a
homecoming dance, when a Lady Gaga song came on, Rodemeyer’s sister and his
friends began chanting for him. In response, the bullies responsible for his
death chanted back: “We’re glad he’s dead” and “He’s better off dead.” Even in
death, his struggle rages on!
Similarly disturbing posts were
made on his blog actually urging the young man to take his own life. One post
read: “I wouldn’t care if you died. No one would. So just do it 🙂 It would
make everyone WAY more happier!”
These attacks are illustrative of
the homophobia and bigotry that persists in the United States despite the great
strides made by the LGBT movement. Children are not born bigots. Anti-LGBT
hatred is neither natural nor inevitable; it is actively promoted by the
institutions of the capitalist ruling class. The media, politicians and religious
leaders alike go to great lengths to keep homophobic ideology—sometimes with
deadly consequences.
Fighting back
Rodemeyer’s death spurred an
outcry across the country. On Sept. 25, in Allentown, N.Y., more than 1,000
attended a march and rally against bullying, dubbed a “No Hate” event.
A militant response of the LGBT
community and its supporters is essential to combat this particular form of
oppression. The revolutionary movement must join the fight for justice for Rodemeyer
and so many others, the fight to build a united movement that can break through
the feelings of isolation and hopelessness of youth who find themselves surrounded
by bigotry and hate.
These atrocities must not be lost
in the pages of history! No more anti-LGBT bigotry!
