During the recent holiday weekend, 18 year-old Jefferson High School student Lance Lundsten, of Alexandria, Minnesota, took his own life.
Ksax.com reported that the gay teenager, according to peers and those close to him, was subjected to regular bullying at school and this may have lead to his death.
According to his Facebook page, Lundsten was openly gay. On a Facebook memorial page in Lundsten's honor, friends said that Lundsten had been bullied at school for his sexual orientation. Some students who knew Lundsten believed the bullying may have led to his death.
Morgan Hauer, a student at Jefferson High, has since formulated the Jefferson Anti-Bully Coalition, hoping to address this ongoing threat to the youth of today. He posted Sunday, on the site's homepage, his motivation behind the group's creation:
"So everyone, i may have started this group, but it really means nothing unless we take action. words, speeches and petitions can get us far, but the only real way to stand up to bullying is to stop bullying other people, stand up for those being bullied and let authoritative figures know whats going on. without you, this whole idea is pointless and a very beloved schoolmate will have died in vain.
Don't let that happen, we owe at least that much to Lance and everyone else who is, was, or will ever be bullied.
Thank you, Group Founder, Morgan Hauer."
Minnesota Senator Al Franken is working on legislation aimed to protect students from harassment based on their sexual orientation.
Comments
what the?......this guy should have shot the bully or something.
This story and thousands of others just like it literally make me see red. This occurs because miserable, ignorant and insecure bullies feel they are better than anyone different from them. I do however think this mind set stems from something much deeper. Children are not born hateful, prejudice bullies. This is a learned behavior. Sorry parents, this too is on you. They emulate what you say and do. If you don't want your children to behave in such a dreadful manor, you must not tolerate this from them. More importantly parents must "walk the walk". If children hear parents say or do something derogatory, but expect something different from them, THIS WILL NOT WORK. They are simply teaching their children to be hateful hypocrites. Step it up parents. The buck stops with you.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!