A gay 15-year old student at Union-Scioto High School in Chillicothe, Ohio, was stalked and then brutally attacked as this cell phone footage that originally was posted to Facebook shows. While the images are blurry, it’s clear that he boy’s attacker was waiting for him, then hurls punches on him. “I covered myself, I shielded my body, but he kept on hitting me,” the boy says, adding, “and nobody did anything.” The attacker left the 15-year old boy with a possible concussion and a chipped tooth. For his hate crime, all the attacker received was a three-day suspension.
This is not bullying. This is pre-meditated assault and needs to be handled by the police, not by the school — the school should be calling the cops.
The victim’s mother, who says her son “is a homosexual,” walks us through the attack, and what led up to it. She adds, “All those people who have that hate in their heart, they need to let it go. Because people are going to be who they are.” Her son, the 15-year old victim, adds that his attacker called him “the definition of a faggot,” via Facebook.
The teenager’s mother adds that no one did anything — everyone stood around and watched. Only one person took any action — which was to record this video.
Towleroad was the first to report this story, and adds this statement via Equality Ohio:
“Union-Scioto has no policy in place that specifically protects students from being bullied or attacked based on sexual orientation or gender identity. The Union-Scioto Local School District does have a policy that prohibits harassment based on sex, race, color, national origin, religion, disability, among others, but it does not specifically protect against harassment based on sexual orientation or gender identity.”
Equality Ohio Executive Director, Ed Mullen, explains that the incident serves as a reminder that Ohio’s anti-bullying law must be strengthened and specific protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth be included. Mullen says: “All students, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, have the right to a safe school and education. Students should not fear verbal harassment, cyber-bullying, or physical assault in our public schools.”
The Union-Scioto local school district does have its priorities, though. A visit to its web site offers this District Mission Statement: “Students of the Union-Scioto Local School District will achieve and succeed in a safe and drug free environment.”
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Disturbing, Gut wrenching, heartbreaking, sad, infuriating, sickening, and just down right appalling are just a few words used to describe the vicious and malicious attack. Hi, my name is Casandra, and the young man that all of you have seen being brutally beaten in this Union-Scioto attack is my nephew. He is 15years old and has been avidly discriminated against for years for being homosexual. Every time I even think of this video or the attack I want to vomit. Our family can not even begin to express the magnitude of our appreciation for the support we have received on so many avenues. He, is staying strong and positive. His voice needs to be heard and through all of you and your support that is happening. This attack has changed his life for ever not only emotionally but mentally as well. Today I say to everyone don't be afraid to be who you are, god made you the way you are and just like Lady Gaga says " I was born this way" each and everyone of us were born to be who we are. Again I say the support that we have received for all of you is more than any family could have dreamed of Thank you all from the deepest part of our hearts.
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