Allegedly Enduring Threats Emerge
Poignant details about Kenneth Weishuhn, the gay Iowa teen who took
his own life after friends and family say his classmates sent him
death threats on his cell phone and made him the subject of a Facebook
hate group, are continuing to emerge.
Numerous media outlets are pointing to the 14-year-old's Pinterest
page. One section, titled "When I get married," features photos of
vintage menswear, candle centerpieces and wedding cake toppers
depicting two grooms. Another section, titled "Inspiration," includes
a number of anti-bullying sentiments, along with a quote attributed to
"Glee" actor Chris Colfer: "There's nothing wrong with you, there's a
lot wrong with the world you live in."
Sister Kayla Weishuhn said Kenneth was actually quite popular before
he came out last month. "He had a lot of friends but once they found
out he was gay a lot of them turned on him." Kayla, a sophomore, told
ABC 9 KCAUTV, before noting that many of her classmates also bullied
her brother: "I was just really mad because those guys were supposed
to be my friends and they were making fun of my brother. I tried to
stick up for him a couple of times but I guess it wasn't enough."
Weishuhn's death also prompted LGBT advocacy group One Iowa and Iowa
Safe Schools to issue a statement. "The loss of Kenneth Weishuhn is
both tragic and heartbreaking," wrote One Iowa Interim Executive
Director Calla Rongerude. "Our hearts and prayers go out to the
Weishuhn family and to the community of Primghar. We all have lost a
bright young man with a promising future."
Rongerude continued:
"What Kenneth endured is something that no one should have to go
through. Kenneth made the brave choice to live his life openly and
fully, and he was targeted at school with taunts, hurtful online
organizing against him and even death threats. No one, especially the
most vulnerable members of our community, should face bullying and
threats of violence simply for being who they are.
"We have a responsibility as a community to foster acceptance and love
for all of our youth. We need to make sure that students have the
support and resources they need to thrive and grow. One Iowa will work
towards the day when all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT)
people can live their lives openly and without fear."
More:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/18/gay-iowa-teen-death-details_n_1434899.html
--
Together, we can change the world, one mind at a time.
Have a great day,
Tommy
--
Together, we can change the world, one mind at a time.
Have a great day,
Tommy
--
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