Asher Brown
Thirteen year old Asher Brown was bullied for eighteen months at school by four students who harassed him continuously. For most of that time, Asher's parents didn't know why their son was being bullied - They just knew that he was terribly unhappy and that four of his peers were to blame. Despite not knowing the reason why Asher was being bullied, his parents say they visited his school on numerous occasions to talk about the bullying. Surprisingly, Officials at Hamilton Middle School deny that any complaint was made prior to Asher's death.
On the morning that would prove to be his last, Asher came out to his parents as gay and told them that his sexuality was the reason why he was being bullied. Asher's parents claim that the conversation that followed was a positive one and that Asher felt good about telling them and even hinted that he may tell a few of his friends at school later that day.
Whether Asher came out to any of his peers that day is unknown. After school, while his parents were still at work, Asher returned home and shot himself in the head with his Stepfather's gun. He left no note.
Whatever happened that day will probably never be known. Did some of his peers react badly? Did the bullying become worse? Did his tormentors make life even tougher for him? We will never know. Asher Brown was bullied for being gay, and on the day he decided to "come out", he ended up taking his own life.The fact that Officials at his school steadfastly deny having received visits for telephone calls from Asher's parents is very unsettling and naturally, Asher's parents are dumbfounded by the statement and claim that their concerns fell on deaf ears.
On the morning that would prove to be his last, Asher came out to his parents as gay and told them that his sexuality was the reason why he was being bullied. Asher's parents claim that the conversation that followed was a positive one and that Asher felt good about telling them and even hinted that he may tell a few of his friends at school later that day.
Whether Asher came out to any of his peers that day is unknown. After school, while his parents were still at work, Asher returned home and shot himself in the head with his Stepfather's gun. He left no note.
Whatever happened that day will probably never be known. Did some of his peers react badly? Did the bullying become worse? Did his tormentors make life even tougher for him? We will never know. Asher Brown was bullied for being gay, and on the day he decided to "come out", he ended up taking his own life.The fact that Officials at his school steadfastly deny having received visits for telephone calls from Asher's parents is very unsettling and naturally, Asher's parents are dumbfounded by the statement and claim that their concerns fell on deaf ears.
I did not hallucinate phone calls to counselors and assistant principals. We have no reason to make this up. … It’s like they’re calling us liars.” ~ Amy Truong, Asher's Mom.
“For some reason, he stood out and people were just cruel. Kids were cruel to my kid. He was very different. He’s not the type of kid that would try to wear the newest clothes or try to do the coolest thing. He was an individual,” ~ David Truong, Asher’s stepfather.