Justin's Story: A Fight for Acceptance

 Justin was a 15-year-old freshman, and this is his story (Justin (pseudonym) & Stacey (Justin's mother), 2009):

1. Justin lived in a small, conservative town in the Midwest. His life might have seemed ordinary on the surface—he was involved in school activities and planning for college. But behind the facade, there was a storm brewing.
2. Justin's bullying started in third grade, the moment he stepped into a new school. Being the "new kid" made him a target. But it wasn't just that. Justin wasn't a farmer's son, religious, or part of the cool crowd. The name-calling and shoving chipped away at his spirit.

As Justin grew older, another truth began to dawn on him. His feelings for his friends weren't quite the same as everyone else's. It was a confusing time, a secret he held close until the summer before freshman year. Finally, Justin came out to his mom, girlfriend, and closest friends. What followed was a wildfire of negativity. The small town couldn't accept it. The friends he thought he had turned their backs on him, using taunts laced with homophobic slurs. A simple conversation he was having about wanting to feel more confident became a brutal assault. They dragged Justin to the top of a slide, shoved him down, and then forced dirt into his mouth. These daily attacks on Justin were relentless. He craved acceptance, to be treated like everyone else. But all he got were cold shoulders, glares, and whispered judgments. The loneliness festered, morphing into a suffocating darkness. One day, on the edge of a bathtub, razor in hand, the weight of it all became unbearable. The cuts on his arms and legs screamed at him, a silent testament to his despair. Thankfully, Justin didn't take that final step. But it was a wake-up call, a brutal reminder of how low he had allowed himself to sink.

This is Why Justin Shared His Story

Justin wanted to raise awareness about the struggles of LGBTQ+ youth and the devastating impact of bullying.  Justin wants teachers, administrators, and everyone to be more attuned to the signs of a hurting student.

There is Hope. There is Help

If you're struggling with suicidal thoughts, please reach out. Here are some resources:

1. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988
2. The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386 (for LGBTQ+ youth)
3. You can also text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor.

My next blog posts will delve more into his darkness, Justin's mom, and her journey of supporting him through this difficult time.

#YouAreNotAlone 

References

Justin (pseudonym), & Stacey (Justin's mother). (2009, December 31). A 15-Year-Old Boy’s Personal Story of Being Bullied & Attempting Suicide [Review of A 15-Year-Old Boy’s Personal Story of Being Bullied & Attempting Suicide]. https://learningcloud.infobase.com/5730/learnit