As The Wentachee World is reporting, 14-year-old Rafael Morelos hanged himself Jan. 29 after friends say he was subjected to bullying at Cashmere Middle School, where he had enrolled last fall.
"He told me he got shoved and punched in the face in P.E. in the locker room at Cashmere," one friend said. Added another: "He was tired of people saying that his little brothers would follow in his footsteps and be gay, too."
In addition, friends say one bully even created a fake Facebook page so that he or she could taunt Rafael, who was openly gay, online.
Take a look at other recent bullying cases and related news below:
Jack Reese
Though details of the 17-year-old Reese's April suicide are scarce, his boyfriend Alex Smith spoke frankly about the repeated bullying the teen had experienced at school.
As one official is quoted as telling Ogden OUTreach off the record: "It happens here about once a week, but officially, you know, it doesn't happen here."
Kenneth Weishuhn jr.
The 14-year-old took his own life after friends and family say that classmates sent him death threats on his cell phone and made him the subject of a Facebook hate group.
"People that were originally his friends, they kind of turned on him," sister Kayla Weishuhn, a sophomore, is quoted as saying. "A lot of people, they either joined in or they were too scared to say anything."
Eric James Borges
In January, just one month after filming an "It Gets Better" video in support of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth, 19-year-old Eric James Borges took his own life.
Borges, who went by EricJames among friends, worked as an intern with The Trevor Project, and as a supplemental instructor at the College of the Sequoias, according to Queer Landia blogger Jim Reeves.
Jacob Rogers
Jacob Rogers had been bullied at Cheatham County Central High School for the past four years, but at the start of his senior year, it had become so bad he dropped out of school before taking his own life. "He started coming home his senior year saying 'I don't want to go back. Everyone is so mean. They call me a faggot, they call me gay, a queer,'" friend Kaelynn Mooningham said.
Jeffrey Fehr
Eighteen-year-old Jeffrey Fehr, who was known as a skilled athlete and previously served as the first male captain of his high school's cheerleading squad, hanged himself on New Year's Day in the front entrance of his family's Granite Bay home after enduring what his parents describe as a lifetime of anti-gay bullying.
Tyler Clementi
The disturbing rash of LGBT teen suicides began receiving attention last fall. Among those who took their own life was Tyler Clementi, an 18-year-old Rutgers University student who jumped off the George Washington Bridge between New Jersey and New York after his roommate allegedly filmed him having sex with another man.
Seth Walsh
Seth Walsh, a 13-year-old California teen, hung himself in September 2010 after reportedly being bullied because he was gay.
Raymond S. Chase
Gay Rhode Island-based student Raymond S. Chase, 19, became the fifth in 2010's disturbing spate of teen suicides last fall.
Obama's Anti-Bullying Video
In October 2010, President Obama released a video in support of LGBT youth who were struggling with being bullied.
Pastor's Confession
In November 2010, Jim Swilley, the pastor of a Georgia megachurch, revealed to his congregation that he is gay. The 52-year-old father of four said the recent spate of teen suicides, particularly that of Clementi, prompted him to change his mind. "For some reason his situation was kind of the tipping point with me," Swilley told CNN's Don Lemon this weekend.
Daniel Radcliffe Honored
In June, "Harry Potter" actor Daniel Radcliffe was honored with the Trevor Project's "Hero" Award for his <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/02/26/daniel-radcliffe-speaks-o_n_478960.html" target="_hplink">ongoing suicide prevention efforts</a> for LGBT youth.
Jamey Rodemeyer
In September, Jamey Rodemeyer, a 14-year-old boy from Williamsville, N.Y., took his life Sunday after what his parents claim was years of bullying because of struggles with his sexuality, months after posting this "It Gets Better" clip on YouTube.
Lady Gaga's Dedication
After vowing to stop bullying and make it illegal, Lady Gaga -- a longtime advocate for LGBT causes -- dedicated a performance to Rodemeyer at the iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas. "I wrote this record about how your identity is really all you've got when you're in school," Gaga told the crowd. "So tonight, Jamey, I know you're up there looking at us, and you're not a victim. You're a lesson to all of us."
Bachmann Speaks Out
Days after being faced with a petition that urged her to publicly address gay bullying in her district, Rep. Michele Bachmann noted, "That's not a federal issue," according to CBS News. Previously, Tammy Aaberg, the mother of Justin Aaberg, a gay teen in the Anoka-Hennepin school district who committed suicide after having been bullied in area schools, delivered petitions to Bachmann's office asking her for support.
Jamie Hubley
Jamie Hubley, a gay 15-year-old from Ottawa, Canada, committed suicide Oct. 14. In this clip, the teen performs Mike Posner's "Cooler Than Me."
Hubley Tribute Video
Friends created a poignant tribute video to Hubley, the Canadian 10th grader who committed suicide on Friday.
Family members and friends are distraught over the death of a Washington teen who reportedly killed himself because he was bullied by his classmates for being gay.
As The Wentachee World is report...
Family members and friends are distraught over the death of a Washington teen who reportedly killed himself because he was bullied by his classmates for being gay.
As The Wentachee World is report...
CUANDO LOS NINOS TRAEN TANTA RABIA,ODIO POR DENTRO ELLOS ESTAN DICIENDO CON SU APTITUD QUE NO ESTAN CONTENTOS CON ALGO ,ELLOS ESTAN FRUSTRADOS Y DESCARGAN ESA RABIA CON QUIEN NO DEBERIAN LOS INICENTES
Y SUS PADRES MUCHA BESES NO LES PUEDEN AYUDAR POR QUE ELLOS SON LOS DEL PRINCIPAL PROBLEMA. DIOS LES PUEDE ALLUDAR SI LE BUSCAN EN ESPIRITU Y EN VERDAD EL PUEDE QUITAR TODA CARGA Y GUIARLES EN TODO LEAN LA BIBLIA,OREN A DIOS POR AYUDA Y EL ESTA ALLI.
Dalila_Sandoval: CUANDO LOS NINOS TRAEN TANTA RABIA,ODIO POR DENTRO ELLOS ESTAN
cyber bullying goes on all the time . too bad this kid ended his life over it ,, but I will say HP allows it too often as I have been bullied on here my self . by other adults .. who apparently will never grow up. Never worth suicide though . But I am sure it is what the bullies wanna see. they like pushing people into early graves .
nerak_kneeling: cyber bullying goes on all the time . too bad
My son was very gentle in High School. He was in drama. During a play the La Crosse team was sitting behind me. They were unaware I was his Mom. they started laughing and calling him gay. I turned around slugged one with my purse, kicked another one the woman next to me started shoving them and they took off. My "ex" told my I was inappropriate. I was in the office and I did raise hell and I did identify the boys and they were dealt with. We moved away My son and I. He was the gutsy kid that makes you laugh. A real rock climber, varsity soccer, and heart breaker at the high school. I had to get him out of the place though. A new place starting over and working on how he presented himself. Parents cannot sit back. They have to make a lot of noise..They have to. It is the only way. That could have been my son. He was getting ill at school with his braces and curly hair. He is such a hunk now but I do not regret what I did. I was picked on a lot at school and swore my kids would not be. It is so painful. I was lucky the parents of the boys felt they deserved the attack of the Moms. If you are making a noise about it...make more noise. It cannot be handled diplomatically. peace
rues: My son was very gentle in High School. He was
focusedoc: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/08/bullying-suicide-teens-depression_n_1247875.html?ref=mostpopular READ: THE MISTAKE WE OFTEN MAKE ABOUT SUICIDE
When did kids become such weaklings. In my day, if someone made fun of you, you either fought them or took it and allowed them to always pick on you. Stand up for yourself, nobody else will.
Hilarious360: When did kids become such weaklings. In my day, if
Easy to say and easy to judge. I don't think times have changed that much. Suicides were covered up and there was no "instant media" in the past. Anyway, I'm sure you were tougher than all the rest.
Jack_Knowlton: Easy to say and easy to judge. I don't think
at first, i was thinking exactly what Hilarious360 was saying. back in my day, you either take it or fight back. but you said actually makes more sense. these kinds of stories are the ones you wouldn't really hear about. I don't think they were covered up, just more likely not reported at all to the media. the only thing that has changed over time is the internet, and how kids take their vicious bullying to the web to make it more widespread and cause more damage.
drmixj: at first, i was thinking exactly what Hilarious360 was saying.
I agree. But the new "system" makes for a lose-lose situation. If you defend yourself now, you get suspended, expelled, taken to juvey etc. The new "system" needs to punish the bullies, not the victims who finally get the courage to defend themselves. I have told my kids (both in middle school) if anyone messes with them to fight back and take the suspension. A day of suspension is better than a lifetime of abuse. and unfortunately, I have had to explain my words to school authority who disagree with my parenting or advice to my kids. But so be it.... they don't get bullied, EVER!
seriously77: I agree. But the new "system" makes for a lose-lose
to the moreles family. i am so very sorry for your loss. no family should have to go through this. parents and teachers need to teach tolerance fir diversity to our children.
Melia_HayesBiedscheid: to the moreles family. i am so very sorry for
"In addition, friends say one bully even created a fake Facebook page so that he or she could taunt Rafael, who was openly gay, online."
So you want it to be a crime for people to log into Facebook, allow comments from people, and then read them...and if the comment happens to be something they don't like, you want to prosecute the person who posted it? For a hate crime??
You know who else was a bully? JOSEF STALIN, AKA YOUR BEST PAL WHO YOU AGREE WITH ON HOW TO RUN A COUNTRY.
Now don't go posting how angry my comment makes you. Then we'll both be sent up the river for cyberbullying, you and me, in your new America.
:D
irrenmann: "In addition, friends say one bully even created a fake
I want to ask parents out there what are we teaching our kids? If I caught one of my kids making fun or bullying anyone I would wring their necks and they new it!!! I always taught my kids to treat people the way they wanted to be treated and to help the underdog. I don't understand this win at all costs and it's okay to make fun of or be mean to or abuse some one else. I taught my kids not to hurt other peoples feelings on purpose. Not to laugh at some one because of the color of their skin, their sexual orientation or their weight or for any other reason! People can not help who they are. SO once again I ask what are we teaching our children?
ashamed_of_m_bachmann: I want to ask parents out there what are we
Bullying is always bad. Bullying occurs on over half the kids attending grade school and high school. Some are more moderate than others, but bullying gets out of hand when there are multiple bullies giving a kid a hard time. If a kid wears glasses, dresses poorly, is autistic, ADD, low IQ, Jewish, Muslim, geeky, etc. chances are they have suffered at least once from a bully. Gays probably have it much worse and so do geeky girls and guys. I had several guys in upper classes that always teased me or taunted me in high school, but I was always able to walk away and later when I grew taller and stronger the bullying stopped. Other kids are not so fortunate.
Nowadays if a kid suffers from bullying my advice would be to report the incidents to parents, teacher and principal and have the bully promised a suspension unless it is stopped. If it's physical it should be reported to local police.
wdjinc: Bullying is always bad. Bullying occurs on over half the
Torture with words can be worse sometimes than a punch in the face, I can't imagine
going to school daily and having to endure thiS. I don't care what someones views
are concerning homosexuals no child should have to suffer at the hand of those who
bully. What kind of parents do these bullies have surely the parents must notice
this behavior because I'm sure it spills over into their hoe life where they interact
with parents siblings and others If they bully at school they don't turn it off when they
get home there is some sign that the parents of these bullies are ignoring.
going to
suzann: Torture with words can be worse sometimes than a punch
When parents endorse subjecting any segment of society to debasement, or simply approves of a segment of society as being less worthy than others the children pick up on that. remember the old saying "Little Jugs have Big ears" Children learn it at home first and carry it into their social interactions with their peers.
Paul_Weikel: When parents endorse subjecting any segment of society to debasement,
Words hurt more than a fist, and the scars can last a lifetime. I endured it daily at at school, so I know firsthand what it's like. And I did think about suicide. Things weren't quite as bad then because at the end of the school day, no one was tormenting me. But now, with the Internet bullying continues beyond the school campus and the victim is still being victimized even in his own home, and often, anonymously. My heart bleeds when I hear about these tragedies.
isisreptiles: Words hurt more than a fist, and the scars can
I have never been bullied and I am straight, so I cant give any advice in these areas. All I can offer is my promise that If I ever witness someone bullying these kids, I will show them how fast the tables can turn. I give my word of support and defence.
TheSarge: I have never been bullied and I am straight, so
WHAT THE F#%K IS WRONG WITH EVERYONE! WHY IS THIS HAPPENING? THESE POOR KIDS! HOW MANY MORE HAVE TO DIE! EVERYBODY WHO HATES SOMEONE BECAUSE THEY'RE GAY SHOULD RECEIVE THE SAME TREATMENT THEY DISH OUT!
Sonja_Dawn: WHAT THE F#%K IS WRONG WITH EVERYONE! WHY IS THIS
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Posted: 02/ 6/2012 5:50 pm