An Important Message from Ellen About Bullying

It's Time to End Teenage Bullying

I am devastated by the death of 18-year-old Tyler Clementi. If you don't know, Tyler was a bright student at Rutgers University whose life was senselessly cut short. He was outed as being gay on the internet and he killed himself.

Something must be done. This month alone, there has been a shocking number of news stories about teens who have been teased and bullied and then committed suicide; like 13-year-old Seth Walsh in Tehachapi, California. Asher Brown, 13, of Cypress, Texas and 15-year-old Billy Lucas in Greensberg, Indiana. This needs to be a wake-up call to everyone: teenage bullying and teasing is an epidemic in this country, and the death rate is climbing.

One life lost in this senseless way is tragic. Four lives lost is a crisis. And these are just the stories we hear about. How many other teens have we lost? How many others are suffering in silence? Being a teenager and figuring out who you are is hard enough without someone attacking you.

My heart is breaking for their families, their friends and for a society that continues to let this happen. These kids needed us. We have an obligation to change this. There are messages everywhere that validate this kind of bullying and taunting and we have to make it stop. We can't let intolerance and ignorance take another kid's life.

I want anyone out there who feels different and alone to know that I know how you feel. There is help out there. You can find support in your community. If you need someone to talk to or if you want to get involved, here are some organizations doing great work:

The Trevor Project at 866 4U TREVOR. It's a 24-hour, national help line for gay and questioning teens. You can learn more about The Trevor Project at their website: thetrevorproject.org.

Angels and Doves is a nationwide anti-bullying non profit organization.
Their website is AngelsandDoves.com

The National Center for Bullying Prevention is helping to promote awareness
and teach effective ways to respond to bullying. You can learn more about
them at their website: Pacer.org/bullying

The Matthew Shepard Foundation runs Matthew's Place, an online community and resource center for LGBTQ youth. The website is matthewsplace.com

GLSEN is also a great organization that is working to eradicate bullying and
bias in schools. Their website is: glsen.org

STOMP Out Bullying is focused on reducing bullying and cyberbullying. Find out more on their website: stompoutbullying.org

Things will get easier, people's minds will change, and you should be alive to see it.


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All credits goes to The Ellen DeGeneres Show
http://ellen.warnerbros.com

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[cocolocof]

Let's start with a goverment who treat gay and straigh the same way. If kids see that discriminate and have 0 tolerance, what can we expect? We cannot blame one person, we cannot blame kids who follow what they see on tv, what they hear from his parents or from people with power. Lets show people that gay or straight , they are both love and respect, lets give everyone the same rights.

[greenjayde333]

The girl you just called fat? She is overdosing on diet pills. The girl you just called ugly? She spends hours putting makeup on hoping people will like her. The boy you just tripped? He is abused enough at home. See that man with the ugly scars? He fought for our country. That guy you just made fun of for crying? His mother is dying. post this to another video, if you are against bullying. You never know what its like until you walk a mile in their shoes

[LillyRoXD101]

@krabspong88 Diddo :/

[alexisxlandgraber]

this is why i love ellen. She doesn't even know these people yet she cares so much and u can see how upset she is. Everyone has a heart so everyone should be treated well. Stop bullying <33 love u ellen

[MeganLandryPixelDust]

anti-bullying messages good, equal is empowerment

[posiden01]

@icu3447 maybe try talking to her about it. Maybe have a clam talk with her and ask her what you might do that makes her upset.

[katiearizonaa]

Still don't understand how this video has four dislikes. There should be none.

[nrpss]

@ButterflyBun13 i'm not saying everyone in here is bi. what i'm saying is everyone falls in love and love is blind! about everything. but as a human been you have equal rights as everyone. i don't say a guy killed a gay for falling in love with him. i say a guy killed a person for falling in love with him! we have rights and laws to follow and live by, for everyone, no matter the sex preferences, the color, or religion! all said. diferent but equal.

[healingduck]

Ellen truly is amazing. This is an amazing message.

[ButterflyBun13]

@nrpss just because you're bisexual, it doesn't mean that everyone is...

[raaaacheeeelyoo]

this gave me goosebumps. i love ellen