Colorado fourth-grader Jamel Myles died by suicide last week.
YouthBullyingLGBT youth
Ariel SobelThe story of Jamel Myles, a fourth-grader who died by suicide last week, has inspired messages of love from prominent LGBTQ people.
The 9-year-old came out to his peers at Denver's Shoemaker Elementary School earlier this month and was reportedly bullied by classmaters. The LGBTQ community is mourning his loss.
Haley Kiyoko, Ellen Page, Laverne Cox, Kehlani, and many others have paid tribute to Myles's memory.
This BREAKS MY HEART. People need to understand the power of their words. Wow. I’m so sorry for him and his family. https://t.co/YTvQMPgsfB
— Hayley Kiyoko (@HayleyKiyoko) August 28, 2018
The news re #JamelMyles broke my heart.I have traveled around the country & the world & have been witness 2 hope & joy but also deep pain & horror.This needs to change.I’m sad & angry but trying 2 keep my heart warm & open 2 continue 2 strive 2 help eradicate this suffering.
— Ellen Page (@EllenPage) August 28, 2018
This has to stop happening. It just must stop. Our bullying culture is killing children. #JamelMyles
"A 9-year-old boy died by suicide after being bullied for coming out as gay"https://t.co/BlrS7BqBxK— Laverne Cox (@Lavernecox) August 28, 2018
jamel myles’ confidence, pride, and eagerness to share his new found freedom with his parents and then classmates at 9 years old is beautiful and hope that is the memory celebrated continuously. rest in peace little warrior.
the lessons here are clear.— Kehlani (@Kehlani) August 28, 2018
Myles went back to school last week, and his family has implied his death was in some part a byproduct of bullying.
"Four days is all it took at school," his mother, Leia Pierce told Denver's Fox affiliate. "I could just imagine what they said to him. My son told my oldest daughter the kids at school told him to kill himself. I'm just sad he didn't come to me. ... I'm so upset that he thought that was his option."
Other LGBTQ advocates have seen themselves within the devastating story.
This is Jamel Myles, he was 9 years old when he took his own life because he was bullied at school for being gay.
I see my reflection in this photo. Maybe you do, too.
Wish I could've told him to hold on. But I can't, so I'll tell you instead. pic.twitter.com/WfsDrdpD2g— Dylan Marron (@dylanmarron) August 28, 2018
This beautiful soul took his own life after being bullied for being gay. This has got to stop. We have to be better than this. Rest in peace, Jamel Myles. https://t.co/Sbf1PYY0MR
— Perez Hilton (@PerezHilton) August 28, 2018
1989. 4th grade. 9 yrs old. First time a fellow male classmate shamed me by saying “stop being so gay.” I didn’t know who I was then. Jamel did. He was gay. And he was proud, until he wasn’t. My heart aches. #JamelMyleshttps://t.co/Lp1i8n5KJb
— Steven Canals (@StevenCanals) August 28, 2018
#JamelMyles just killing himself at 9 years old after being bullied for coming out is all the proof you need that our fight against prejudice is as important today as ever! If ANY of you need someone to talk to call @TrevorProject 1-866-488-7386
info@thetrevorproject.org #LGBTQhttps://t.co/qFa0UOKsYR— Daniel Newmaη (@DanielNewman) August 28, 2018
If you are a trans or gender-nonconforming person considering suicide, Trans Lifeline can be reached at (877) 565-8860. LGBTQ youth (ages 24 and younger) can reach the Trevor Project Lifeline at (866) 488-7386. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255 can also be reached 24 hours a day by people of all ages and identities.
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