Another Teenager Gone Because of Bullying

This is getting to be so sad, another teen has committed suicide due to bullying and because he was gay. It just breaks my heart to see this in the news. And it makes me wonder if society is getting better and more tolerable or is it as I fear getting worse. I always say now that it is like we are back in 1984 in some places. I just can't believe people can be so god damn mean and so ignorant. All because of a persons sexuality, color, race or religion. Are we as a society ever going to grow up? I am not sure. All I can say is I am glad for the support of the friends I had while growing up and throughout my life and to the bullies, Grow up and remember what goes around, comes around! Here is the story of the latest young man who has taken his own life due to peer pressure. I wish I could help just one young gay man and make them understand, it does get easier, but it is never easy. You just learn to live with who you are and love yourself and rely on those who you can rely on and know the will always be there for you. I know I have! Please read this story below and know this boy was only 18 years old.

MILTONA, Minn. - The news of a high school student's suicide began circling social networking sites Monday morning, after the news began spreading that 18-year-old Jefferson High School student Lance Lundsten had died over the weekend.

Around 10 p.m. Saturday the Douglas County Sheriff's Office responded to an emergency call at the Lundsten's residence in Miltona. When officers arrived, they discovered 18-year-old Lance Lundsten needing emergency medical care. Lundsten was transported to the Douglas County Hospital where he later died.
The Sheriff's Office confirmed to KSAX that they believed Lundsten's death was a suicide. The Sheriff would not confirm the nature of the medical emergency.
According to his Facebook page, Lundsten was openly gay. On a Facebook memorial page in Lundsten's honor, friends said  that Lundsten had been bullied at school for his sexual orientation. Some students who knew Lundsten believed the bullying may have led to his suicide.
“Bullying is a huge issue, particularly with the youth in our country now,” Facilitator of the Diversity Resource Action Alliance Shari Maloney said. “I think because we’re in central Minnesota, and we aren’t as diverse as some of the larger Metropolitan areas are, someone who is different maybe draws more attention and it’s not always positive.”
Maloney said she works everyday to make Alexandria a more accepting place for community members and visitors. She said she has seen improvement, but there is still a long way to go.
“I think we are a welcoming community, but I think we are also a very traditional community as well,” Maloney said. “As the world changes, I’m not sure if we’re changing.”
Another Jefferson High School student started a Facebook group following Lundsten's death called the Jefferson Anti-Bully Coalition.
Senator Al Franken discusses legislation to protect students from being bullied in the classroom because of their sexual orientation.
Lundsten's funeral is set for Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria.