The suicide of Ottawa teen Jamie Hubley has impacted the good people of Canada in many serious and substantial ways. Hubley, who was just 15, died by suicide one week ago today, after years of bullying and being called a “fag.†He left a note saying life was too hard, and he couldn’t wait three more years for it maybe to get better. His father, Allan Hubley, a local Ottawa, Canada politician, said that anti-gay bullying was definitely a factor in his son’s tragic death.
READ: Jamie Hubley’s Father’s Complete Statement On His Son’s Suicide
Hubley’s note also stated how hard it was to be the only out gay student in his school, and made references to the TV show “Glee.â€
At a candlelight vigil/memorial service Thursday evening, hundreds showed to honor Jamie, and at his funeral earlier in the day, the Roman Catholic church was filled to twice its capacity, with hundreds flowing out the doors. Perhaps most surprising — to Americans — is that members of Canada’s Conservative party just released an It Gets Better video in honor of the memory of Jamie Hubley.
To date, no American Republican elected official has ever released an It Gets Better video. Senator Scott Brown (R-MA) was conspicuously absent when the entire Massachusetts delegation contributed to their It Gets Better video. Perhaps the only Republican who has created an IT Gets Better video is GOP presidential candidate and openly-gay activist Fred Karger — who remains as of yet unelected.
“Family and friends who spoke during the service and outside afterwards praised Hubley’s efforts to make life better for other gay teens,” reports Canada’s CBC News.
Jamie’s friend, Luke Spiro, spoke in his eulogy about Hubley’s desire to create a club for gay teens at his high school, and outside the church his family and friends said his work would not go unfinished.
“I think Jamie would be happy to see that things are going to change for kids like him,” said Michaela Dorans, a friend and classmate at A.Y.Jackson High School in Ottawa.
“I think people now understand how much this has affected everyone, everyone’s come together to try and get over this,” said Dorans. “He will help a lot of people and he has. And I don’t think it’s going to stop.”
…
Hubley’s suicide was also mentioned at the conclusion of question period in the House of Commons Thursday.
Québec NDP MP Dany Morin asked the Conservatives what they were doing to address the problem of harassment and bullying against gay teenagers.
“I know I would speak for all members of the House when I offer our sincere condolences to the family of Jamie Hubley,” said Ottawa West-Nepean MP John Baird.
“Bullying, homophobia, intolerance and incivility have no place in our schools. It underlies the real challenge of depression, mental health, especially among young people.”
The Jamie Hubley memorial Facebook page has grown from just over 300 members a few days ago, to well over 3000 today.