Hey,
Did you know?
Last year, gay teen suicide rates spiked, with at least six occurring within the U.S. during the month of September alone.
On September 22nd, 2010.
June 9th, 2010.
Billy Lucas
Due to influences such as this, young people face daily tormenting and bullying, leading them to feel as if they have nowhere to turn.

55.1% were victims because of an offender’s anti-male homosexual bias.

26.4% were victims because of an anti-homosexual bias.

15.3% were victims because of an anti-female homosexual bias.
Became a public figure when on October 6th, 1998, he was tied to a fence and brutally beaten because of his sexuality.
he was 15.
Although Matthew's death brought attention to hate crimes against homosexuals, hateful actions and behaviors persist.
let them know
that they can turn
to you.
let them know that it gets better.
Tyler Clementi
Jumped to his death from the George Washington Bridge
shot
Asher Brown
Cody Barker
September 9th, 2010
September 13th, 2010
Both hanged
themselves
in a family member's barn.
in
his
bedroom
on
hanged himself
on September 23rd, 2010
and killed himself
.
According to recent statistics provided by the FBI they may not be alone. Of the 1,482 victims targeted due to a sexual-orientation bias:
The night of the attack, Matthew was found and taken to Purdre Velley Hospital in Fort Collins, CO.
However, he lost his struggle and died six days later from severe head injuries.
Matthew Shepard
The Westboro Baptist Church is well known and highly publicised by the media for hateful views and actions directed towards homosexuals. Its members will frequently picket schools, businesses, and funerals of soldiers with reasoning being that the United States tolerates homosexuality.
Even young church members learn early what they should believe about homosexuality.
So, what can we do about this epidemic?
First,
Now that you know there is support,
PFLAG (Parents, Family & Friends of Lesbians and Gays) is an organization which seeks to celebrate diversity, and envisions a society that embraces everyone, including those of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities.
PFLAG provides opportunity for dialogue about sexual orientation and gender identity, and acts to create a society that is healthy and respectful of human diversity.
Similarly, GLSEN (The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network envisions a world in which every child learns to respect and accept all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression.
GLSEN is the leading national education organization focused on ensuring safe schools for all students.
In addition to these organizations, many celebrities and well-known public figures are speaking out against bullying and discrimination against homosexuals. Among them is United States President Barack Obama.
The "It Gets Better" Project  was created to show young LGBT people the levels of happiness, potential, and positivity their lives will reach – if they can just get through their teen years.
Interested in making a change and speak up against hate? Sign this pledge at http://www.itgetsbetter.org
Thank you!
Among them ...
Justin Aaberg
Nearly all of these young men endured a relentless stream of taunts by their classmates, which resulted in each of them ending their own lives.