The recent suicides of six gay U.S. students burdened by years of bullying are “heartbreaking,” says a PRIDE representative at the University of Lethbridge.

“There’s no reason for it,” says Emma Ladoucer, president of the group for homosexual students on the U of L campus.
“People need to be understanding, welcoming, and respectful. I’m not saying people have to support queers. They don’t even have to like them. Respect them – give them the same courtesy you would give anyone else.”

The students who killed themselves ranged in age from 13 to 19 and the grief has been widespread.

As a result, a campaign was started, called “It Gets Better.” Through YouTube videos, the message is coming through from regular students to celebrities like Ellen DeGeneres.
 The Trevor Project, a U.S. organization focused on crisis and suicide prevention for homosexual youth, started the campaign.
Here in Lethbridge, PRIDE would be the closest equivalent to that.
“Our group exists to provide all students, gay or not, a place where they can just be,” said Ladoucer. “Earlier this week we had the You Are Loved Chalk Messages project. We took over the bus loop,”
“We’re working on campus for a resource center open to the public. There will be book resources, a phone line, chat and referrals.”
Ben Rodgers, a gay second year Communication Arts student at Lethbridge College described the bullying as “atrocious” but also says that helping the victims comes from everyone else.
“It’s us who have a voice to help them and give them a hand,” he said.
“It does get better. Since college…I can be myself. I can live my life.”
Ladoucer says sexuality is something that should be overlooked.
“We’re not any different than anyone else. Take time to talk to people. Get over that one little thing.”
If you need more information on the “It Gets Better” campaign or the Trevor Project, go online and visit www.thetrevorproject.org.