Jamel Myles. | Photo: Fox 61 / Facebook
Nine-year-old boy Jamel Myles came out as gay at his Denver school and then got mercilessly bullied for it.
So much so, that he killed himself just four days later.
The mother of Jamel Myles, Leia Pierce, told local news station Fox 61: ‘Four days is all it took at school’.
Pierce then said Myles came out to her this past summer.
‘He was like, “Mom I’m gay.” And I thought he was playing, so I looked back because I was driving, and he was all curled up, so scared. And I said, I still love you.’
She added: ‘We should have accountability for bullying.’
Ellen Page: ‘Don’t be a fucking bully’
When the news broke, it made international headlines.
Then celebrities started sending their condolences to the young boy’s family.
Actress Ellen Page tweeted a link to the story, with the caption: ‘This is awful. Sending love to this family.’
She then said: ‘Don’t be a fucking bully. Don’t raise your kids to be bullies. This shit is heartbreaking and preventable.’
Actor Josh Gad tweeted: ‘My heart absolutely breaks for this family. This is so unbelievably upsetting.’
Our deepest condolences go out to the family of Jamel Myles. No one, especially children, should ever be made to feel alone and hopeless simply for who they are. Make the call:@800273TALK: 1-800-273-8255@TrevorProject LGBTQ Hotline: 1-866-488-7386@TransLifeline: 1-877-565-8860
— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) August 27, 2018
Drag Race judge Michelle Visage tweeted: ‘No. No way. This has GOT to stop. This poor baby’
Then actor Michael Cashman tweeted: ‘Never let anyone tell us the fight for equality is over.’
Director Dustin Lance Black wrote on Twitter: ‘To those in religious, political, and social organizations that perpetuate myths and lies about LGBTQ people which keep homophobia alive, this is what you are actively creating. You bear responsibility for such pain. YOU.’
