Hundreds rally for bullied teen who took life after years of anti-gay abuse
Hundreds of people have rallied in Brisbane in the wake of a teenagers suicide to call for a Safe Schools programme to be put in place.
The programme is run by Safe Schools Coalition Australia which is a national network of organisations that works with schools to create safer and more inclusive environments for same sex attracted, intersex and gender diverse students, staff and families.
13-year-old Tyrone Unsworth took his life after suffering years of homophobic bullying.
Friends and family of the teen led the crowd which gathered at the CBD in Brisbane to call for action on bullying.
Jess Origliasso from the Veronicas and Multicultural Affairs Minister Grace Grace joined hundreds of people at the protest.
Following the news of Tyrone’s suicide, his family received more abuse which deterred his mother, Amanda from speaking at the event.
Jessica Payne, who organised the movement, spoke instead and said his family wanted him to be remembered as “hilarious, funny, beautiful person, full of spirit.”
Payne said: “Things have to change. We can’t just hear more talk. We can’t just let Tyrone be another person lost. Action has to be taken.
“The family has been so inspiring in this regard. The very least we can do is stand with them in solidarity and fight.”
Tyrone took his own life and his mother said that he had suffered through two years of homophobic abuse which pushed him “to the edge.”
Among other insults and physical abuse, Unsworth was called a “fairy” and a “gay boy.”
Tyrone’s mother told the Courier Mail: “He was a really feminine male, he loved fashion, he loved make-up and the boys always picked on him, calling him gay-boy, f****t, fairy; it was a constant thing from Year 5.”
“I know your pain free now son and they cant pick on you anymore, but this shouldn’t of had to happen,” Amanda wrote online after seeing her son’s body.
The 13-year-old’s funeral was held on the 1st of December.
If you have been affected by issues in this article, and live in the UK, call the Samaritans on 116 123. If you are a young person in the US in crisis, feeling suicidal, or in need of a safe and judgment-free place to talk, call the Trevor Lifeline now at 866-488-7386. If you are an adult in need of support in the US, please call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-8255.
