Eleven year-old Jaheem Herrera of Dunaire Elementary School in Dekalb County was a sweet young boy. He enjoyed dancing and loved his family. Despite his sunny demeanor, Jaheem had difficulty making new friends. He was called “ugly” and bullied for his skin color. The other students taunted him for being “too feminine” because he carried a pink backpack. He was frequently called “gay” by other students, even though he never identified as such.
In response to the bullying, Jaheem’s mother, Masika Bermudez, complained to school officials; no action was taken. She addressed the issue seven or eight more times but to no avail. On the evening of April 16, 2009, Jaheem had finally had enough. His younger sister found him hanging from a closet door, belt strapped to his neck. According to Bermudez, Jaheem was tired of getting picked on, tired of being ignored by the teachers, administrators and counselors at his school. In his mind, suicide was the only way out.
Jaheem’s tragic death speaks to the severity of anti-LGBTQQ bullying and the need for schools to intervene on behalf of targeted students. Unfortunately, Jaheem’s story is not an isolated case. Students who are bullied for real or perceived sexual orientation are far more likely to commit suicide than those who are not. It also points to the fact that homophobic bullying is not just a “gay” issue but an issue that harms students of all ages and sexual identities. Children learn from an early age that anti-LGBTQQ rhetoric is an effective weapon in tormenting other students. As such, straight students are often the targets of anti-LGBTQQ language and behavior.
Jaheem’s death was preventable; his story cannot be forgotten. It must serve as a wake-up call for educators to stand up against homophobia, biphobia, transphobia and heterosexism and work to create a safe learning environment for all students.
For more information about creating safe schools in Georgia for LGBTQ youth and for tips and support, go to: http://www.georgiasafeschoolscoaliton.org
