Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover Commits Suicide Over Anti-Gay Taunts

ABC News:

Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover was 11-- hardly old enough to know his sexuality and yet distraught enough to hang himself last week after school bullies repeatedly called him "gay."

Read the whole story: ABC News

Comments

[reepiceep]

One day when I was about eleven years old myself (late 70s), my mother was dropping me off at school and asked me curiously but with concern why I get out of the car and go to the far end of the playground while waiting for the bell. I lied to her. The real reason was that the same group of tormentors my own age would flock to me as though it were feeding time if I went within their sight lines. These same boys would ask me things like whether I've had my "period", or had on a "bra", or if I felt I "acted like a girl". It was hell and I endured it for years. Many nights I would cry and not want to go back to school - ever. Thankfully, I was strong enough to endure it and have survived to have a successful, enriched, and loving life. Unfortunately not everyone is, or gets the support they so desperately need.

My heart breaks for this young man and my anger at his school rages - because I know very well the terror he was living - and I'm certain he felt nothing in the world would ever change it. Though I know almost nothing about this boy, I love him. Someday, the ring leader of his torment (trust me...there­'s always a ring leader) is going to grow up and realize that he/she murdered a sweet and innocent soul.

At least I pray they will.

[beat123]

I cried out loud after watching this on cnn a moment ago. Why was this story not on the "front page?" Did he die in vain?

[MyTurn2020]

I have thought about this young man since I read his story, heard his mother talk about him, and contemplated the depth of his grief and hopelessness that he felt his only way to peace...wa­s suicide. Maybe it's because he was only 11 at the time of his death, he wouldv'e been 12 today, an age typically filled with promise, mischief, laughter, and discovery.

I could have been Carl in another life. I too, was a happy kid, "book smart," always smiling, and as some might describe, a little "too happy" at times for a male child. But GOD and circumstances placed me inside a family, community, and spiritual place that I was protected from taunts. I am mouring a young man who deserved that same protection. I am mourning the possibility of a life that was ended way too soon. I am disgusted with the young people "doing what kids do" (being cruel) that they inlfict pain harsh enough to incite suicide.

I imagine from Carl's pictures that he was kind young man, someone naturally happy and hopeful. Having never met this young man, I am choosing to remember that happy and hopeful boy. God bless you and your mother! I will remember you.

[henryetta]

A beautiful 11 year old boy hanged himself yesterday because of school bullying. His crime was to be sweet and inoffensive, so he was labelled "gay". Instead of erasing this persecution, churches who comment on homosexuals enable it. They create a climate of entitlement for people with hateful attitudes. Just saying the words can lead to someone's death.

[000Jade000]

Unbelievable.

Parents need to step up and stop teaching their kids hate.