Gay Teen’s Suicide Is Fifth In Five Years At Iowa High School
A grieving mother today is blaming school officials who “did nothing” to stem the rampant bullying she says caused her 16-year old gay son’s suicide. Sheryl Moore says 30-40 friends and classmates of her son, Alexander “AJ” Betts Jr., came to her after his death and all told her of the culture of bullying school administrators reportedly allow at Southeast Polk High School in Pleasant Hill, Iowa. Betts’ death is the fifth suicide in five years at Southeast Polk High School.
“AJ told the administration,” of the culture of bullying at Southeast Polk High School, Moore says,” and they did nothing about it.” Sadly, this is an all too common comment parents of LGBT teens who attempt or complete suicide often state.
Moore says her son was outed about a year and a half ago, and was bullied form both being gay and bi-racial.
“Several people who are gay or lesbian teens have told us that AJ saved them from committing suicide when they were feeling desperate,” Moore told KCCI.
“Bullying is a big deal, and it’s still happening. And I really hope, for AJ’s sake, that we can stop it. Even if we could save one more life from bullying, that would be a success.”
“Calling her 16-year-old son’s death ‘the most painful thing I have been through in my entire life,’ Moore has since vowed to help educate people on how ‘words hurt.'” the Huffington Post reports:
“It must have been really horrible, if my son got to the point where he would hurt my husband, my daughters and I to take his own life,” Moore told KCCI News 8. Still, she added, “Several people who are gay or lesbian teens told us that AJ saved them from committing suicide when they were feeling desperate, and I really hope, for AJ’s sake, that we can stop it, so that maybe, even if we can save one more life from bullying, that would be a success.”
The Register and other media outlets have been quick to point out that Betts’ death is the latest in what appears to be a string of tragedies at Southeast Polk High School. Four teens took their own lives in 2008, while a 17-year-old followed suit in December 2009.
The Des Moines Register notes that Betts attempted suicide on Friday, but “was on life support to repair damaged organs for donation. His mother Sheryl Moore said candidates have been selected to receive his liver and kidneys and doctors plan to take Betts off life support today.”
Watch this video interview of Sheryl Moore from the Des Moines Register:
http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isVid=1&isUI=1
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The Trevor Project provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth. Call them 1-866-488-7386. You can also call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 and visit stopbullying.gov, and the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network’s (GLSEN) website for more resources.
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Photo via AJ Bett’s Facebook page
Hat tip: The Advocate and Gizmodo