Lady Gaga Vows To Make Bullying Illegal

After Jamey Rodemeyer, a 14-year-old boy and maker of a viral "It's Gets Better" video, took his own life Sunday after years of bullying, many mourned his death by rallying to his cause, leaving online comments like "Don't worry, we'll fight for you. R.I.P." on his YouTube video.

Among those springing to action is none other than his role model and idol Lady Gaga.

"Jamey Rodemeyer, 14 yrs old, took his life because of bullying," she tweeted on Wednesday. "Bullying must become be illegal. It is a hate crime."

Minutes later, she continued her call to action.

"I am meeting with our President," she tweeted. "I will not stop fighting. This must end. Our generation has the power to end it. Trend it #MakeALawForJamey"

Since then, hundreds have poured out their support through Twitter.

President Barack Obama, who has made his own "It Gets Better" video, is attending this year's second annual Federal Partners in Bullying Prevention Summit this week in Washington D.C. to discuss state and local commitments to preventing bullying. It is unclear if this is where Gaga intends to speak with him.

School bullying, especially gay bullying, has increasingly become a hot-button issue in the media after multiple tragedies such as Rodemeyer have pushed it into the spotlight. The government has also launched programs and campaigns to increase awareness and garner support across the country to stop bullying.

Despite suggestions from school counselors to refrain from posting on social media websites, Rodemeyer continued, enduring cruel comments that eventually led to his death, the International Business Times reported.

One comment was especially cold:

"I wouldn't care if you died. No one would. So just do it : ) It would make everyone WAY more happier!"

Jamey's father, Tim Rodemeyer, told WIVB his message for other kids in school:

"To the kids who are bullying they have to realize that words are very powerful and what you think is just fun and games isn't to some people, and you are destroying a lot of lives."

Other parents have expressed similar thoughts in the past. Lisa Cagno told CBS correspondant Tracy Smith that she was afraid every time she dropped her son Johnny off at school.

"I felt like every day, I was sending him off to war," Lisa Cagno told Smith.

Gaga's quest is not the first time someone has sought to make bullying illegal.

This month, the California State Senate approved Seth's Law (AB 9), which is designed to crack down on the bullying of LGBT students in state schools. The law is in honor of 13-year-old Seth Walsh, a gay junior high student who ended his own life last year after facing constant harassment for his sexuality.

In Anoka-Hennepin schools, Minnesota's largest school district, nine teens have committed suicide over the last two years -- several of whom were gay and reportedly acted as a result of being bullied. The situation in Anoka-Hennepin Schools is so bad that Minnesota public health officials have deemed the area a "suicide contagion," and federal officials have launched an investigation in the area.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie signed a new state law this month which redesigned a previous anti-bullying law from 2002 that wasn't effective in implementing policies in schools. The legislations, known as the "Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights" is said to be the "toughest piece of anti-bullying legislation" in the U.S.

Eliza S. Byard, executive director of the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network has also presented steps she believes will help the 80 percent of LGBT youths in New York who report verbal harassment, Buffalo News reported.

To prevent such bullying, Byard said schools should:

• Establish a policy that specifically bars harassment based on sexual orientation.

• Encourage the establishment of Gay-Straight Alliances at schools.

• Make sure the curriculum depicts gay people positively.

• Urge adults to be supportive of GLBT students.

The weekend of his suicide, Rodemeyer posted lyrics from Lady Gaga's "The Queen" on his Facebook page, the International Business Times wrote.

"Don't forget me when I come crying to heaven's door."

Need help? In the U.S., call 1-800-273-8255 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline or visit stopbullying.gov.

Comments

[gsmith9072]

06:08 PM on 10/17/2011

This country sometimes runs like a circus when we have celebrities as the head authority and influence in creating laws. This particular law sounds pointless to me, because it's created due to people's black and white perspective on what actually leads to these suicides. No "law" is going to protect kids from life. What is this law going to consider "bullying"? Are we going to lock kids up for calling someone a name? Who's fault was it that this teen who committed suicide subjected himself to troll posts on the internet? And even more importantly, took them to heart? Many teens are just cruel and that has a lot to do with crappy parenting. But what does this say about teens who lack perspective and -kill themselves- when they are called names by these goons?
People need to wake up. People commit suicide for many reasons, and they are often complex and could also be due to personality disorders. But humans always needs a convenient scapegoat, and proceed to get all emotionally over some false perceived threat. It's also politically convenient to paint this picture as if gays are only suffering from it. If this law passes, Gaga can feel like a hero and the problem won't have a dent.

[carlnga]

03:47 PM on 10/21/2011

I have to say I totally disagree with you. I do not care if a child a gay, straight or purple no child deserves to be repeatedly mentally abused by ANYONE PERIOD! If we do this to our kids, they get taken away, if we do to another adult we get charges brought against us. Just because a child willfully chooses to terrorize another human being without any concience of their actions DESERVE TO BE PUNISHED! What will this punishment include you ask? They will not only be required to abide by orders of a judge, but they will also be required to get mental health counseling. Unless you have been personally affected by the type of behavior (meaning someone you know was has or is a victim of Bullying) you are not qualified to to determine that. I personally know 2 families that have been torn apart by children who have taken their lives because of this. Often time schools and teachers are aware of this happening yet do nothing to stop it. How would you feel if this were your child, grandchild, friend etc? How would you feel after your child not only ends their life but the Bully posts online that their mission was accomplished. And you say this should not be illegal and is pointless. That Bully particpated in and resulted in the death resulting from their actions. They need to be punished! Period!

[carlnga]

03:57 PM on 10/21/2011

finishing up Until the laws of the US change it will get worse. In my opinion the Bullys know their is nothing the legal system can do to them so they keep on doing it day after day. Until they can be legally held accountable nothing will change. I could go on and on about this. I have just started. Unless you are personally qualified to say it is pointless, I suggest you should get involved and educate yourself on this. While I do not disagree at times be underlying issues relating to their deaths, why is it nobody sees it or intervenes until it is too late? I am sick and tired of waking up and hearing almost weekly now that another child has taken their life because of Bullying. All kids deserve to be safe and free from this type of abuse. Until Congress steps up to the plate and does their fair share more children will die. Seems our country is more focused on every other countries problems and willingly neglect the children of the united states. This is america and our constitution is supposed to protect us from this type of behavior yet their civil rights are being donied each and everyday because our CONGRESS COULD GIVE A RATS ASS ABOUT BULLYING! They may talk the talk but what have they done? NOTHING! SHAME ON THEM. SHAME ON YOU DEAR PRESIDENT OBAMA WHO IS A FATHER HIMSELF FOR NOT PROTECTING OUR CHILDRENS LEGAL RIGHTS!

[gsmith9072]

02:43 AM on 10/27/2011

Well, that was strange.

[Indep Votr]

09:07 PM on 09/26/2011

Whack-job meets Whack-job.

[rnews4ed]

09:39 PM on 09/26/2011

Why do you feel so much hate inside?

[Indep Votr]

10:07 PM on 09/26/2011

No hate at all.
She's a talented singer, and he's a talented teleprompter reader.
She dresses like Elton John, he governs like Jimmy Carter.
Her time in the spotlight will probably last for more than four years, and his will probably not.
Her sexual orientation is questionable at times; his love for America is questionable at times.
She will go to extremes to stay in the spotlight, and he will promise anything to keep his job.
She loves to rub elbows with celebrities on her own nickel, and he loves to rub elbows with celebrities on the taxpayers' dime.
She apologized to her fans for canceling a concert, he apologized to the world for America.
She bows before her loyal fans, he bows before repressive dictators and foreign kings.

[MrsManarlican]

06:52 PM on 09/26/2011

Kids are so horrible to each other. A girl in school bullied me mercilessly because I was chubby. I found out years later that she and her older sister were verbally and physically abused by their father. A bully learns their actions at home. Schools and laws and governments can only do so much to stop that.

[MolliBlum]

10:04 AM on 09/27/2011

I am sorry you had to endure that. As you say, "a bully learns their actions at home". It's good that you realised eventually that the problem was theirs, not yours. I guess if you had been skinny, they'd have bullied you for that too. Or maybe for being "too geeky", or "too stupid". Bullies simply find a kid whose buttons they can press, and get their kicks from that any way they can. Schools can actually do a lot, and they certainly take it a lot more seriously today than they did in the past (at least where I am).

[eve mahar]

06:30 PM on 09/26/2011

flagged. Homosexuality isn't aberrant sex, and this has nothing to do with pushing sex of ANY kind.

[Sam Winchester]

03:50 PM on 09/26/2011

Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death for Americans 15 to 24 -- CDC!!! If anything, take a look at corporations who continue to tell kids they're nothing without their products. Or maybe kids today are just weaker than previous generations, but the numbers don't lie -- 3rd leading cause of death, suicide!

[lancelogan35]

12:10 AM on 09/26/2011

I've been a fan of Lady Gaga's since she recorded her first CD. Her efforts in many humanitarian areas has been tremendous and, of course, her music is even better. If she would like to contact me, my number is [phone]. Thanks. Lance Richardson.

[HarukoHaruhara]

04:23 PM on 09/25/2011

"I have seen..."

[HarukoHaruhara]

06:14 PM on 09/25/2011

Spare me. Please.

You have NO idea what I have been subjected to.

NONE!

[Janet Root Wetherell]

08:11 AM on 09/25/2011

Having worked inschools for along time..bullying starts at home..children who are not treated well, ridiculed, critisized at home come to school angry and looking for someone to take it out on..that is where bullying starts..the parents need to be reeducated on bullying..then we have the birght pretty people who go through a faze of thinking they are the in crowd..most are good kids, but there is always one or two in the crowd who are insecure and like to tease and taunt others to make themselves feel better..I give alot of credit to Lady GaGa for doing this..Ilike the words to her music..not crazy about watching her sing, but it is what it is today..she has an incredable insight on what is going on and willing to use her infulence to help..more poer to her and goodluck!! It is a hate crime !

[MolliBlum]

10:09 AM on 09/27/2011

I like much of what you say at the beginning your comment, but you kind of lost me with your assessment of "the bright pretty people" thinking they are the "in crowd" and resorting to bullying -- bright and pretty is no protection from bullying, and no incentive to do it either.

Jamey was very clearly a bright kid, and a good-looking one too.
That didn't stop him from being bullied.

[ImPurrfect]

11:20 AM on 09/27/2011

I agree with so much of what you are saying. But watch the internet. If a attractive person enters a forum, they are attacked from so many sides. People think it is the unattractive, but often the reverse is true. Even those who would consider themselves attractive will go on the attack, due to competition? The person is accused of being vain, thinking they are "all that", they are insulted, picked on, bullied. And when they do nothing to live up to the labels put on them, they are still treated unfairly, and as if they have no real substance, only their looks.
I have actually witnessed young women who will downplay their looks to be taken more seriously. Others fall into the trap of playing them up because they start believing that is the only thing that others will notice about them. (I have seen this happen more frequently with young girls, but yes, it happens with guys too.)

[bob riversmith]

11:13 PM on 09/24/2011

I was a "bully killer" in high school, but I didn't start out that way.
Nobody messed with me, I was a big rough kid from the other side of the tracks (literally) ... but I never picked on anyone, ever.

It made me sick to see bullies picking on the weak kids ... and these bullies, they were really, deep down, cowards.

Finally, I had enough ... I started interceding.

Today it's different. They've got "internet bullies" ... you can't just pick out the leader of the pack and break his nose. Now they call the cops.

I don't know why people do that kind of thing.
The more I see of people, the more I like penguins.

[Janet Root Wetherell]

08:14 AM on 09/25/2011

kudos!!! it takes a strong person to do what you have done..thank you...the internet has become the cowards way out to get at people..nice to know that they can be traced..the technology is there and being used..and that is good..there is no good excuse to bully..and your right about the lack of self confidence in these bullies..don't like themselves much so they try to destroy others..F&F

[sydneymoon]

07:57 PM on 09/25/2011

Certainly you remain in many people's thoughts to this day. I am sure they are thankful for your intervention. Well done.

[bob riversmith]

11:19 AM on 09/26/2011

I stopped two guys one day from picking this one little kid for his lunch money ... he was just a skinny little guy with glasses ... I told the two guys I'd splatter them all over the lockers and they bolted.

Turned out, the skinny kid was a math genius and he helped me through Algebra and Geometry, neither of which I would have passed without his help. We became friends, I taught him boxing and weight training and he taught me that I wasn't just a big dumb ox ... that I had a brain.
:)

[PatTheHat]

10:02 AM on 09/24/2011

I'm an over fifty old school rocker, and this gal impresses the hell out of me.
You go get it on Gaga girl, you do America proud!

[bob riversmith]

10:57 PM on 09/24/2011

I appreciate her dedication to good causes ... but her music doesn't cut it ... it's a mixture of disco, pop hop, and stage glam. I didn't care for that stuff when Madonna did it ... and it hasn't grown on me since.

[PatTheHat]

01:25 AM on 09/25/2011

It helps to appreciate performance art and artists, but I know what your sayin', I dig me a pounding back beat, and a screamin' lead guitar that makes my ears hemorrhage just before my skull explodes ;-) .

[Janet Root Wetherell]

08:15 AM on 09/25/2011

I'm and over 60 rocker and she impresses me too..love her music!!

[butchcliff]

06:13 AM on 09/24/2011

Gaga is a genuine caring person. Not like a lot of these self-serving divas. She truly cares about important issues such as this.

[K albekken]

04:18 AM on 09/24/2011

Remember Cho? Virginia? He killed because he felt he was being bullied, however now its suicide because....When someone has had enough of bullying, they don't wack themselves, they pull a Cho!

[K albekken]

03:47 AM on 09/24/2011

I suppose I'll never understand, try waking up to suicide bombers, fighting constantly, American's if its not the " race " card its the oops card, sometimes you do have to adjust to those hateful words you think haunt you, but if words hurt you so badly, you probably have an underline issue with forgiving and forgetting but I bet you proclaim you don't hold grudges..sure you do..

[K albekken]

03:15 AM on 09/24/2011

Why do people care what others think? I have always set my mind frame where I couldn't careless what anyone said to me, I've always found it distrubing when people would get upset by just reading various comments others had written, sorry back in the day, there was a reason people would say" if you can't say it to my face don't say it at all " if cruel comments that are merely written can push someone, its obvious depression was a key factor, not bullying!

[Janet Root Wetherell]

08:19 AM on 09/25/2011

when they are teens the emotions can be over the top..and the hormones don't help any..very few if any of these teens are totally self confident, and so sometimes have the need to belittle someone to feel better..but what they find out later is it does make them feel bette but wore.. it is the angst of teen years.. emotions and hormones over flow..

[crstimuli]

02:50 AM on 09/24/2011

This thread is about bullying & calling people names.

What about all the rappers that call women b!tches & hoes or still use the "N" word? That's bullying! How many people on here listen to & buy that type of music....you're supporting bullying with your own money!

[Janet Root Wetherell]

08:22 AM on 09/25/2011

my boys did not like the fact that it was never allowed inour house..they have heard it, but they have heard my opinion of it frrequently when growing up..parents need to listento what their kids are listening to or watching for that matter..then talk bout it..our kids understand there i good rap out there that does not do this..and there is good rock, jazz or any other kind of music that does not do this..need to know parentswhat your kids are hearing and seeing!!