FOR JAMEY RODEMEYER AND JAMIE HUBLEY: AND THESE LIGHTS SHALL NEVER FADE

Although I have already uploaded this work in its proper context as part of the "Requiem For A Gay Christian Suicide", I feel moved to post it again in the wake of the suicides of two gay teens, Jamey Rodemeyer (14) and Jamie Hubley (15).

Rodemeyer lived in Buffalo, New York and Hubley in Ottawa, Canada. Despite the distances between them they were both hideously bullied over their sexuality at their respective schools and both took the ultimate escape route. Rodemeyer made a couple of videos for a project called "It Gets Better" encouraging fellow gay teens, the last video he posted he shows the slashmarks on his wrists and seems to be choking back tears. Hubley documented his own misery on a blog (now deleted), like Rodemeyer's it was a progressively dark account of a slide into self harm and utter despair. What they did not know was that they were both fans of Lady Gaga and both can be seen on youtube doing partial cover versions. Indeed, just before he hung himself Rodemeyer sent a tweet to Gaga thanking her for everything she had done and signing off "Paws up forever". Gaga dedicated a song to him at a concert and stated she was poleaxed and angry and crying almost non-stop to hear the news. She went to see the president to discuss an anti-bullying law to be set up in Rodemeyer's name.




I, too, have found the accounts of their stories utterly devastating and want to add my own contribution to the tributes both these poor lads are rightfully receiving. How possible it is to grieve over people you never knew I have no idea, but that's what I seem to be doing.

My hope is that they have met somewhere and are swapping Lady Gaga impressions. Perhaps they have even fallen in love?

"So here, lads, is the wreath I have made
T'is not a gift that's worth the taking
But wear it and it will not fade."


Rest In Peace, "little monsters", Rest In Peace.

Category:

Music

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