Jamey Rodemeyer was an American teenager, known for his activism against homophobia, and his videos on YouTube to help victims of homophobic bullying.
Jamey encountered severe bullying throughout middle school, because of his sexuality. Comments posted anonymously on one of his social media accounts included hate messages such as:
"JAMIE IS STUPID, GAY, FAT ANND [sic] UGLY. HE MUST DIE!"
and
"I wouldn't care if you died. No one would. So just do it :) It would make everyone WAY more happier!"
Despite this, Jamey used his experiences to make videos on YouTube using the pseudonym xgothemo99xx, in order to help others who were experiencing similar situations. He also made a video for the "It Gets Better Project", a website dedicated to preventing teen suicide.
Still, the impact of bullying on Jamey's life was tragic. His suicide was attributed to the constant bullying he endured. Because of his death, reigning Miss New York Kaitlin Monte founded an online petition to bring the issue of cyberbullying (known as "Jamey's Law") to New York legislators. Shortly after, State Senator Jeffrey Klein proposed new cyberbullying legislation. The two joined to launch the New York Cyberbully Census.
Jamey Rodemeyer was only 15 years old when he died.
Jamie Rodemeyer
March 21, 1997 – September 18, 2011
