Support for Gay Teens Facing Homophobia and Bullying
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In the span of a few weeks in September and early October 2010, at least five gay teens in the U.S. took their own life after struggles with teasing and bullying in school. The suicides of Tyler Clementi, a Rutgers University freshman, and the other gay teens in high school and college have made news headlines and spurred an uprising against homophobia and bullying.
Stars and Schools Stand Up for Gay Teens
Dozens of celebrities, including Ellen DeGeneres, Kathy Griffin, Glee's Matthew Morrison, and Project Runway's Tim Gunn, as well as some of the families of the dead teens have spoken out against homophobic bullying and called for greater compassion in schools and society.
Lance Bass, a gay pop singer who stayed in the closet throughout his career with 'N Sync, recently told MTV that peer pressure to make fun of gays was so powerful in his Mississippi high school that even he participated in gay bashing.
In response to the deaths, high schools and communities across the country have organized candlelight vigils and marches and "Wear Purple" days as a sign of solidarity against homophobia.
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