The LGBT community in Huntsville, Alabama is rallying in support of a 15-year-old 9th grader who took his own life after being bullied for being openly homosexual.
Nigel Shelby was out and proud. The flamboyant 9th grader proudly wore his homosexual orientation on his clothing at Huntsville High School.
The school’s administration say the staff is trained to be all inclusive and accepting of LGBT youth. But Nigel’s fellow students are a different story. Some of them were offended by his openness.
Some students attacked the 9th grader in school and in posts on social media. He took his own life last Thursday, telling his followers he had been bulled about his sexuality.
But the bullying didn’t end with his last breath. At least one adult taunted the teen after death.
An officer who works for the Madison County Sheriff’s Office sparked backlash on social media after he made a post mocking Nigel’s death.
Deputy Jeff Graves wrote a Facebook post under an article by a homosexual group trying to raise funds to spread awareness about bullying faced by the LGBT community.
In his post, Graves changed the meaning of the acronym LGBTQ to “Liberty. Guns. Bible. Trump. BBQ.” He added, “That’s my kind of LGBTQ. I’m seriously offended that there is such as thing such as this movement.”
He continued: “Society cannot and should not accept this [homosexual] behavior. I have a right to be offended and will always be offended by this face movement which requires no special attention but by persons with an altered ego and fake agenda.”
He defended his post as “freedom of speech.”
In a statement on Monday, the Madison County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Graves had been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome” of an investigation.
“The sheriff’s office holds all its employees to a high standard, and the public can be assured that a thorough and complete audit will be conducted and appropriate action will be taken.
A GoFundMe account created by Nigel’s family raised $26,000 for his funeral costs.
If you are having thoughts of suicide, someone is waiting to speak with you at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Call 1-800-273-8255. The hotline is available 24 hours-a-day.
