Young Lives

Young Lives

Do you remember being 13 years old? I certainly do, the sence that I was becoming a separate person from my family, aware, in my adolescent way. Internal conflicts swirled as I tried to figure out who I was. Concerns about where I fit in the social fabric, who were friends and who to avoid. I also remember thinking that my whole life was in front of me.

Well, meet 13 year old Asher Brown, this bright child will never get to be the man he could of become. Asher committed suicide in August after intense abuse from his schoolmates concerning his sexual orientation.

While I am introducing people let me introduce 13-year-old Seth Walsh who on September 19 of this year left this world by his own hand. Seth’s 11 year old brother called him “the best big brother in the world, no, the galaxy.” Seth too was the victim of ridicule from his classmates concerning his being Gay. Another young man we will never meet.

Of course lets not forget 18-year-old Tylor Clenenti and 19-year-old Raymond Chase. Both of these young men’s lives recently cut short by a culture that tolerates the persecution of the LGBT community.

Over the last few days, I have been reading many posts to Pagan web sites about this issue. While most have expressed shock at these events, some have offered the opinion that this is not our fight; we should “take care of our own first”. Frankly, it makes me sick to read these posts. The cruel harassment and daily humiliation these kids faced is beyond any concept of acceptable human behavior.

Are the memories of our community so short that we do not remember twelve-year-old Tempest Smith who hanged herself a number of years ago? This wonderful child was tormented for her Pagan beliefs until she could no longer endure.

So why is this our issue? Because it is a religious issue. It is the unrelenting homophobic and anti Pagan messages that some religious communities espouse that creates a climate were our children are driven to take their own lives. This must stop and we must take a stand. Elders throughout our community need to address this issue, take a stand and most of all take action. If we do not act the next 13 year old we hear about may be one of the young faces we see at our circles.

It is time to get involved. Call the local schools and ask about anti bullying programs. Where they exist, support them. Where they do not, create them. Talk to your kids, find out about incidents of bullying, report these incidents and follow up to make sure action has been taken.

While it is important for our community to make a statement about these events, it is vital that we take action beyond reading and writing about them.

In Service to the Goddess and our children,

Peter Dybing