So several kids at Phillips school is 50-75% of the local population? That's a lot of people, that's also very unrealistic of you.
The only people who kill themselves over something like this are people who are really stupid. This kid did not go to anyone for help; did not take a stand for his beliefs. As sad as it is to see his life wasted. Its his fault, not the bullies.
I'm harassed by many people for some issues and features I have of my own, but I am not going to kill myself over it. Only the ignorant would set up laws to harshly punish people who, on a daily basis mind you, constantly jeer at eachother and hate eachother naturally. Hate is the spawn of being human, it is to be expected no less. No matter WHAT it is about you that people dislike. It cannot be permanently removed.
Thought processes like these can lead to far more ludicrous ideas. In the future you will most likely be imprisoned simply because you "disagree" with the idea of gay loveuality or something even more controversial. Your opinion would become considered hate-speech.
You don't look to peoples opinions or senseless name calling entirely for what your self esteem will be. You will only find and eventually learn to dislike what people think. And you will become either depressed or strengthened in your resolve to be what you are.
Ok, I wasn't actually referring to that specific case here. Shoulda been more clear.
I agree that it seems ridiculous to commit Self Delete over others' beliefs, but some people weren't born/raised to take an independent stand like you do. Also, some people have a hard time asking others for help with this sort of thing. I don't completely trust my parents either.
Just because it's "natural" for humans to harass each other (and even that may be debatable; I haven't looked into it), that doesn't mean we can't at least TRY to change things.
As for the line between opinions and hate speech: Feel free to hate/dislike people, but there comes a point when it becomes detrimental enough that it really must be stopped. You can say, "I am not comfortable with your loveuality". That's fine. But when you start calling someone a "loser gay cigarette", you've just crossed the line.
As for the last point, most of us are currently at the stage of development in which we look extensively for peer approval. Being myself occaisionally depressed and often shunned or ostracized by the people around me (nothing related to loveuality), I can say that it's hard to realize that what these random people think of you isn't going to matter.
Of course, most of our discussion here is rather idealistic, and likely won't have an actual impact on much of anything.
