The suicide of freshman Tyler Clementii has prompted a nation wide discussion on the bullying of young gay people. Clementii was among a cluster of young people who have committed suicide last month following suspected bullying on the matter of their sexual preference. These incidents have caused U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg to say that he would introduce legislation that insists on prohibition of bullying in educational institutions.
Clementii, 18, had committed suicide last month by jumping off the George Washington Bridge after his room mates had aired his sexual encounter with another man over the web. His body was found several days later. His family has chosen to remain mum. They are just hoping that this tragedy would “serve as a call for compassion, empathy and human dignity.”
Both the room mates, Dharun Ravi and Molly Wei are facing charges of invasion of privacy and possible bias. This could fetch them each five years of imprisonment.
The Rutgers University had earlier held a vigil for Clementii. The Rutger event, an intense and emotional one, was attended by gay rights activists and others such as U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, D-N.J., and actress/comedienne Judy Gold. Judy Gold, a Rutgers’ grad, felt that what happened to Clementii was not a mere invasion of privacy, it was sickening.
Senator Lautenberg said that he would also ensure funding for colleges to start programs that deter harassment.
The lawyers are taking time to study the suit thoroughly before filing. Ravi’s lawyer is confident that nothing will be found out to warrant the filing of a bias criminal complaint.
Wei’s lawyer has announced her innocence and joins her family in extending their deepest condolences to Clementii’s family at this time.
