A nine-year-old boy, Jamel Myles killed himself after undergoing four days of homophobic bullying at school in Denver, Colorado, his mother, Leia Pierce said.
Jamel’s body was found at home on Thursday. According to reports, Pierce stated that her son wanted to go to school and tell his classmates that he was “proud” to be gay.
“My son told my oldest daughter the kids at school told him to kill himself. I’m just sad he didn’t come to me. I’m so upset that he thought that was his option,” Pierce added.
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Denver Public Schools (DPS) has sent letters to families on Friday about the counselling services for students. The letter, addressed to the families of Joe Shoemaker Elementary School pupils, states “Jamel’s death is an unexpected loss for our school community. Our goal is to partner with you in sharing this news with your child in the most appropriate way possible, with as much support as may be needed, so please feel free to reach out about how you want to handle this.”
DPS Spokesman, Will Jones said that teachers at Shoemaker are creating a space for students to share how they are feeling and to process their emotions, according to the BBC. Fourth and fifth-grade teachers will also be calling families individually to check on students.
“Our priority right now is to look at all the concerns raised in this case, to keep all our students safe and to do a fair and thorough review of the facts surrounding this tragic loss,” Jones said in an emailed statement.
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The Human Rights Campaign took to Twitter to share helpline numbers along with a condolences message for the family.
“Our deepest condolences go out to the family of Jamel Myles. No one, especially children, should ever be made to feel alone and hopeless simply for who they are. Make the call: @800273TALK: 1-800-273-8255 @TrevorProject LGBTQ Hotline: 1-866-488-7386 @TransLifeline: 1-877-565-8860.”
Our deepest condolences go out to the family of Jamel Myles. No one, especially children, should ever be made to feel alone and hopeless simply for who they are. Make the call:@800273TALK: 1-800-273-8255@TrevorProject LGBTQ Hotline: 1-866-488-7386@TransLifeline: 1-877-565-8860
— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) August 27, 2018