Kenneth Weishuhn
Fourteen year old Kenneth was a happy, fun loving teen, until he decided to "Come Out" and tell everyone that he was gay. His family and close friends were supportive, and living in Iowa, a Marriage Equality State where same sex marriage was was legally celebrated, Kenneth had no reason to believe that being gay would would make him so hated.
The bullying began almost immediately after Kenneth "Came Out" to his peers at South O'Brien High School in Paullina. An anti gay Facebook group was created and Kenneth became an immediate target for the bullies, who automatically added many of Kenneth's friends to the group. It was nothing short of a lynch mob. They tormented Kenneth online and even sent him death threats.
Inevitably, the bullying spilled over from the internet into real life. Kenneth endured bullying at school and multiple death threats were sent to him via his phone. Kenneth's sister Kayla admits that initially, most of the bullying came from boys in her class, but goes on to explain that as time passed, many of Kenneth's school friends turned on him and joined the bullies in making Kenneth's life a living hell. She believes that many of them did this out of fear, believing that if they tried to defend Kenneth, they too would fall foul of the bullies.
The bullying began almost immediately after Kenneth "Came Out" to his peers at South O'Brien High School in Paullina. An anti gay Facebook group was created and Kenneth became an immediate target for the bullies, who automatically added many of Kenneth's friends to the group. It was nothing short of a lynch mob. They tormented Kenneth online and even sent him death threats.
Inevitably, the bullying spilled over from the internet into real life. Kenneth endured bullying at school and multiple death threats were sent to him via his phone. Kenneth's sister Kayla admits that initially, most of the bullying came from boys in her class, but goes on to explain that as time passed, many of Kenneth's school friends turned on him and joined the bullies in making Kenneth's life a living hell. She believes that many of them did this out of fear, believing that if they tried to defend Kenneth, they too would fall foul of the bullies.
Little is known about the details surrounding Kenneth's suicide, but it is clear that he was severely bullied, ostracized and received threats to his life, simply because he was gay and some people didn't like it.
Everything happened so quickly and escalated out of control. Kenneth's Pinterest page highlighted his desire to lead a happy, fulfilling life with a loving partner, a man he wanted to marry. Images pinned on his Pinterest page included same sex marriage images, gay wedding supplies, plastic groom cake toppers, wedding cakes, vintage menswear attire and honeymoon cars, as well as "It Gets Better" quotes and LGBT advocacy images.
Kenneth wanted what everyone wants, to grow up, fall in love and live happily ever after. Unfortunately, homophobic bullies robbed him of the opportunity and robbed the world if a young man who is described as kind, sweet and the most caring boy you will ever meet.
Everything happened so quickly and escalated out of control. Kenneth's Pinterest page highlighted his desire to lead a happy, fulfilling life with a loving partner, a man he wanted to marry. Images pinned on his Pinterest page included same sex marriage images, gay wedding supplies, plastic groom cake toppers, wedding cakes, vintage menswear attire and honeymoon cars, as well as "It Gets Better" quotes and LGBT advocacy images.
Kenneth wanted what everyone wants, to grow up, fall in love and live happily ever after. Unfortunately, homophobic bullies robbed him of the opportunity and robbed the world if a young man who is described as kind, sweet and the most caring boy you will ever meet.