Mom Blames Bullying And School Officials Who ‘Did Nothing’ For Son's Suicide

It's a story that we see time and time again: rampant bullying of those perceived to be gay and school officials who do nothing to stop.  Ultimately, the victim can take it no longer and opts to end his/her life as the only escape.  The scenario was what drove Christian Taylor to end his life after local York County, Virginia school officials did nothing to stop constant bullying.  Worse yet, in Virginia, since suicide is an unlawful act, Taylor's tormentors got away with murder.  Now, the same story is coming out of Iowa where a 16 year old ended his life in a disturbingly similar pattern.  Fueling all of this tragedy is religious based hatred and poison preached from pulpits that makes bullies feel down right justified in the abuse they heap on others.  All so that human refuse like Maggie Gallagher, Bryan Fischer and Tony Perkins can make a buck and feel morally superior.  The New Civil Rights Movement looks at this sad story.  Here are excerpts:

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.

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.”

Note how racism and homophobia go hand in hand in this story.  What is most disheartening is that the school officials will likely get off with a slap on the risk at best.