My name is Adam Roberts and I am an openly gay male in the small town of Salisbury, New Brunswick. In grade 8 it all started, the belligerent words and actions that included the dirty looks, being called a faggot over and over again. Have you ever been called something that over time tore down your mental health one piece at a time? I have. I was assaulted one day at recess, a rope being tied around my neck until I choked and then he proceeded to ram my head into a brick wall.
Do you know how it is to come to school, look into a person’s eyes and say “I’m OK”? When you really feel like there is no one there that understands what you are going through? I said it all the time to my mom, friends, and in my eyes no one could know what I felt like. In grade 9, by late February, the bullying was so bad that I felt there was no way out. As a result of these feelings, I have scars to show. It was my only way to cope.
Grade 9 again... New kids... I thought it might be a new start but I was so wrong. Going back to being called faggot again but this time it was worse it wasn't just 2 to 5 times. I was being called 5 to 10 demeaning words a week, and there was no end in sight. I'm being told that I should go kill myself; no one knows how much that hurts to hear. I ask myself everyday when will the name calling stop?When will it be safe for me to go back to school? And why can’t people just accept me for me. I am a good person and I don’t deserve to be treated like this. I have made several attempts to have the gay issue addressed at my school but nothing is getting fixed. Several other students at my school have told me they don’t feel safe at school either.
My family and I have been through enough. It is time for this to stop. Thank you for taking the time to read this. Adam.
Do you know how it is to come to school, look into a person’s eyes and say “I’m OK”? When you really feel like there is no one there that understands what you are going through? I said it all the time to my mom, friends, and in my eyes no one could know what I felt like. In grade 9, by late February, the bullying was so bad that I felt there was no way out. As a result of these feelings, I have scars to show. It was my only way to cope.
Grade 9 again... New kids... I thought it might be a new start but I was so wrong. Going back to being called faggot again but this time it was worse it wasn't just 2 to 5 times. I was being called 5 to 10 demeaning words a week, and there was no end in sight. I'm being told that I should go kill myself; no one knows how much that hurts to hear. I ask myself everyday when will the name calling stop?When will it be safe for me to go back to school? And why can’t people just accept me for me. I am a good person and I don’t deserve to be treated like this. I have made several attempts to have the gay issue addressed at my school but nothing is getting fixed. Several other students at my school have told me they don’t feel safe at school either.
My family and I have been through enough. It is time for this to stop. Thank you for taking the time to read this. Adam.