Alright; first things first, my name is Jesse Lee Goehring. I'm a senior at North Bloomfield High School in North Bloomfield Ohio. Now that were equally acquainted, lets get down to why I'm really here. Basically, in a nutshell, I'm 17 years old and I'm a gay teenager in a very cruel and evil world. Now I didn't make this blog so that people will come here and express how much they hate the "F" words or about how "Homos" are "Ruining the planet". You can take that stuff somewhere else right now. No need to read any further there hon. Now, if you not a one minded individual and you would actually like to see what I am doing here, then i will proceed.
Speak Up, Speak Out is for other teens or adults that are struggling with day to day troubles within themselves or outside of themselves dealing with other people. I am a strong person, both physically and mentally. Many people have tried to knock me down with threats and the infamous "Don't get beat up" line. Doesn't that stuff get old mighty quickly? I believe it does. Either way, it's your opinion, I'm just here to listen to your problems and try to help you get through them to the best of my ability. Okay, first I want to talk to you, (Whoever will be reading this) about what is really going on in a teenagers life that he/she may not want you to know about.
We all know the line that mom and dad say when they try to inquire information as to whether you did anything "fun" and "exciting" at school. But teens, what do we always say? "Nothing." ... That's a shame. Studies show that 38% of teenagers that are avoiding obvious interaction with parents, friends, siblings, and other people is a result of fright from being bullied in public places. No, I'm not talking about swirlies, or being shoved into a locker. I'm talking about being physically bullied. Whether it be being punched, or kicked. Smacked or slapped. Bullying is bullying, no matter what state or form it comes in. Physical bullying isn't the only kind either. 54% of teens that have been called names have all succeeded in attempting suicide because bullying went to far, and that child couldn't handle it anymore.
Teens, if your reading this, and your being bullied, it doesn't matter by who, if you are being tortured by someone... anyone. You need to let someone know. They can help. You are not alone in this endless fight about bullying. Suicide thoughts are just the beginning. DO NOT let it get any farther than that. Guys and Girls if you are having any thoughts on suicide, any at all, you need to get to WWW.thehopeline.com ; There are people there who can help you through what you are going through. They will help you, this I promise.
Parents, if you are reading this, and you notice strange accurances in your son or daughters normal patterns of doing things, sit them down, talk to them about bullying and the places that are out there to help them cope with what they are going through. Do not let them go through this alone. They don't deserve that. Help save our kids and help stop bullying in school, at work. Anywhere. Suicide is not the way, nothing should ever be so bad, that a person should contemplate taking their own life, although millions already have let that thought come to fruition. Not anymore. We all need to do what we can to help our communities in these hard times. Play your part, you never know... You could be someones savior.
~Jesse.
