Billy Lucas, Asher Brown, Seth Walsh, Tyler Clementi and now Raymond Chase, 19, from Monticello, New York. We have just lost a 5th young soul this week – that we know of – who is either gay or the victim or gay bullying. The 5th suicide in less than three weeks and the 3rd death just this week alone! It is just devastating for us to report that we have learned that Raymond Chase, an openly gay sophomore at Johnson and Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island , studying culinary arts committed suicide on Wednesday, several students have informed us. The 19 year old is believed to have hung himself in his dormitory.Ronald Martel, Ph.D., Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students, sent the following email to students on Thursday.
Today I contact you with the deeply sad news of the passing of Raymond Chase, sophomore, 19, culinary arts major. The campus community is mourning the loss of this vibrant young man who leaves many JWU friends and teachers, and a loving family of Monticello, New York.
Funeral arrangements are not available at this time. As we obtain more information that can be shared, we will do so. Ray’s JWU friends and the university are planning a memorial service for the campus community. Those details will be forthcoming.
In the meantime, I encourage anyone who is having a difficult time to seek the services available at Student Counseling. Our staff of professionals is here to work with all of you during this sorrowful time. Their help and confidentiality is a benefit that you should consider.
Dang man thats sad
It looks like being gay without a great support system is not working for these childre…I think each school should have some kind of therapy or group so these kids can go somewhere & feel accepted.
PARENTS: IF YOUR CHILD IS GAY OR U SUSPECT HE/SHE IS GAY DON’T SHUN THEM EMBRACE THEM & TRY TO FIND COMMON GROUND. OTHERWISE, YOU MIGHT JUST END UP WITHOUT A CHILD
Praying for the family…
SO SAD TO BE HEAR THIS….I TOO WAS AT THAT POINT IN MY LIFE I JUST COULDN’T TAKE IT ANYMORE SO GLAD I HAD FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS TO SHOWER ME WITH LOVE AND ACCEPT ME FOR ME.
People get bullied EVERY DAY.regardless of their sexual orientation. Fat people, dark skinned people, “ugly” people, and the list goes on. Why is this headlining news just because they are gay? Who cares? The real issue is why kids are commiting suicide instead of getting help and learning to COPE.
I’M THE PROUD PARENT OF A TEENAGE LESBIAN AND I WOULDN’T CHANGE HER FOR THE WORLD. TRAGEDIES LIKE THIS CAN BE PREVENTED. ALL THESE CHILDREN NEED IS A STRONG SUPPORT SYSTEM, LOVE AND ACCEPTANCE. MY HEART GOES OUT TO THIS FAMILY. MAY RAYMOND AND ALL THE OTHER FALLEN ANGELS REST IN PEACE.
@ millie sooo true! i feel that i teach mine 2 dont accept bullying! stand up 4 your self ! it makes them more powerful when u run from them!
wo cao ni quan jia bu rang lao zi fa shang qu ni xiao zi you bing ?
cao ni mei de bu rang laozi fa!!!!
Many children face discrimination and the root and history of that prejudice is worth talking about and is absolutly relevent. All of it, from racial discrimination, to bullying on the basis of body image standards, it is important that we acknowlege the systemic nature of this hatred and fear. The struggles that these kids faced is more than worthy of the news space. Especially in light of all the LGBT youth who stories are lost. Talking about homophobia is the only way we will ever defeat it. Everyone needs to look at the ways in which they participate in a world that is far from iradicating prejudices of all kinds. Yes we have come far, but that makes it easy to ignore what isleft to be done. The tragic deaths of these youth must remind us of that.
Bruce:
I don’t think Millie is asking who cares that this person committed suicide…I think what Millie is trying to say is the fact that this person was gay is being magnified, when it is not the ‘most” important issue here, and I agree. Why people are committing suicide instead of getting help OR learning to COPE, IS the real issue here! When one makes decisions in life, they must accept all that comes with those decisions! This does not mean that bullying is ever justifiable, it is wrong and people should not be treated badly or marginalized because of their lifestyle. Homosexuality is sometimes not very well accepted in our society, so if one decides to be gay, they should realize that they could receive negative treatment, but will have to take the bitter with the sweet. I’m not saying it’s right or wrong, but it is what it is….
My heart goes out to his family and friends. I saw some videos of him with friends on Facebook and he appeared to be so happy………may all the wonderful memories stay in your minds and hearts forever!
My prayers go out for all the families involved here…
Wow! I get it Classy…it’s all about CHOICE! Children do not choose to be fat, or dark, or ugly. But they sure do choose to be gay…and therefore should expect to be teased, and tormented, and bullied. I have been enlightened…and I thank you for that!
I agree with all of you. Bullying is a huge problem not only for childern but for adults also. Children who are bullied grow up and become unstable adults who serial kill and mass murder. I’m a teacher and the entire community has to come together and crack down on bullying. The schools cannot do it alone. Parents have to stand up and take their childern seriously when they complain about being taunted. No more of believing “Sticks And Stones My Break Bones, But Words Will Never Hurt,” that’s a lie. Phyiscal pain goes away, but words never die.
Bruce, nicely said. It’s unfortunate that America wants to remain stuck on stupid. We must continue to try and educate and enighten those that would otherwise remain stuck in their bigotry. Be encouraged
@ClassyD you do not decide to be gay. It is natural for some people just as it natural to be heterosexual for others. While others believe that you are simply born that way. Just as one can be born Black or Asian. What you are attracted to is not always as simple as “deciding to be gay”.
It’s really pathetic that there are actually people mean enough to say “who cares?” in regards to this. I agree with Bruce 100%. I dis not choose to love other men; in fact, if one had a choice in the matter, I would talk to kids about not choosing it to prevent horrible things like this. Sadly, we can’t. Instead we can only provide love and support.
I did not choose to be gay. I did choose to let myself love who it was natural (to me, so don’t start) to love–my current partner and the love of my life.
I did not choose to be gay; but my parents did choose not to continue to see me ad their son.
I did not choose to be gay; but I did choose to live with the sometimes miserable “punishments” from others trying to change me.
I did not choose to be gay. I did decide that suicide wasn’t the way out.
I did not choose to be gay. I did choose to help anyone in need of someone to talk to and love them without bias.
Love is love. Life is life. Death is perminent. No one should feel there is no other way out. That is why these suicides are important. It is not only about sexuality.
Love is not a choice. Suicide is. The importance of these deaths is to show that everyone-regardless of age-needs support. That this horrible thing is a growing monster, awake from an eternity of slumber. We have to stop it before more beautiful lives are lost.
We have to save these kids.
They still looks like he’s twenty-five. Amazing.
Here is my homepage; gay parents