The rise of suicide among homosexual teens and young adults who were victims of attacks by school bullies struck America with the attention of how serious the problems of bullying has been on the lives of young homosexuals.

Queer Straight Alliance Club adviser at Cerritos College, Joey Ear, feels that the one problem with bullying among young homosexuals is the need for the school and family members to settle the problem before it gets worse. 

“First of all, the parent needs to get involved and, second, school authorities need to get involved and interject immediately if a kid is being bullied. If you don’t care and don’t do anything about it, that kid is going to get killed,” Ear said.

Social discrimination in America against homosexuality has resulted in the suffering of many gays who feel forced to hide their identity,  especially in the 42 states that haven’t established an actual law to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights for equality.

In 2010 alone, the suicide of Rutgers University freshman Tyler Clementi, who killed himself after his classmates exposed him over the Internet, added to the trend of suicides among LGBT teens and young adults who commit suicide due to bullying.

Thirteen-year-old Asher Brown, and 15-year-old Justin Aaberg, both also committed suicide from the harassment of bullies at their school. All three deaths occurred in the month of September.

LGBTs who suffer from the abuse of bullies in school are more prone to the risk of attempting suicide, due to the consistent stressors of having to deal with the harassment because of their sexuality.

Cerritos College student and culinary arts major, Damon Springer commented on the incidents of the three suicides of young students, who where tormented till they decided to take their own lives.

“I don’t think anyone should be bullying anybody for their beliefs or for the commitment of their lifestyle, I think its just completely wrong,” Springer said.

According to 365gay.com, 30 to 40 percent of LGBT teens are at more of a risk of attempting suicide compared to their straight peers. One of the main reasons leading to this statistic is the fear of acceptance from friends and family.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the annual rate of suicide in the country at between 35,000 and 40,000 per year.

Experiencing the apprehension of coming out with his sexuality to his parents, QSA Club member Daniel Schaper knows what it’s like being in a position that LGBTs must go through when being open about their homosexuality.

“Coming out to certain people was very difficult for me because I didn’t know if my mom or dad would kick me out, so when the time came, they didn’t take it so well. They didn’t kick me out, but they gave me drama and problems about how I was going to go to hell.

“They didn’t help me out and I started to become very distant from them and pushed them away because I didn’t want them near me. I felt isolated and became very secluded. “

As the media created awareness of the attacks from bullies on young homosexuals, schools are now battling the surging rate of teen suicide from bullying. Gay right supporters insist on programs that talk about anti-gay bullying, which are expected to decrease teen suicide and help LGBTs who need someone to openly talk to.