Jeremy’s Journey Continues
Minnesota “manorexic” Jeremy Gillitzer won’t be celebrating the holidays with his family. The former model – who we first met last October – has found himself forcibly committed to Minneapolis’ Eating Disorder Institute.
Just days after the original City Pages story ran, two social workers showed up on Jeremy’s apartment, setting off a series of events that landed Jeremy in the strict program. The issue first crossed our desk earlier this month, when Jack Jett, who contacted Jeremy after the original story, passed on Jeremy’s distressing voice mail:
Hello Jack, This Jeremy calling… I don’t really care if I live or die, and I don’t want you to tell any of the nurses as they will put more restrictions on me. I wonder if there is anyway you could help me. I just need some relief from the pain and suffering I am going through.
Jett’s had a steady conversation with Jeremy ever since. Our editor has also been in contact with the 36-year old.
We’ve included transcripts from some of these conversations, after the jump. Before you go on, let it be known that we originally questioned whether the state has the right to hospitalize Jeremy against his will. We here at Queerty are vehemently against the death penalty. Our view isn’t so much based in the sanctity of life argument, although it could be, but revolves primarily around whether the state has the right to end someone’s life. We say no. There are some parallels Jeremy’s situation: does the state have the right to interfere with someone who’s starving themselves. After much soul-searching – and tossing out a bit of political ideology – we’ve concluded that, yes, Minneapolis officials have the right – and obligation – to hold Jeremy until he’s back in good health.
Give the transcripts a read and we’re certain you’ll agree.
Also, we’d like to note that we contacted one of the hospital’s social workers. A spokesperson soon emailed our editor to say the hospital has no comment on the story.
I used to work in crisis intervention, and the quick answer (to one of your questions) is that, in general, a state has the right to interfere when a life is in imminent danger (potential homicide or suicide). The laws vary on a state-by-state basis. The standard model is that a crisis worker will get an ex-parte order from a judge, who will allow a person to be held involuntarily for x number of hours (24-72). Within that period a shrink will need to certify that a person is an imminent threat to themselves or others, after which they can be held longer.
A lot of new judges are initially reluctant to grant forced mental health admits. The first death tends to change their minds.
Jeremy, if you happen to read this, as someone who has had eating disorders in my life, I know it is hard to break the cycle it feels like you are losing control, but as time moves on you come to realize that you are really regaining control. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Stay Beautiful
Don’t wring your pretty little hands, Queerty. You can have your ideological cake and eat it too (though the cliche may be particuarly inappropriate in this case and I regret using it). You can still fervently uphold an individual’s right to make his or her own life/death decisions, but only if they can do so rationally. I’m totally not a doctor, but I would suspect that Jeremy’s eating disorders may have altered his body chemicals and had a psychological impact that could impair his reason. So in this case, I would say the state is justified in using its protective powers.
And I echo jasonmcdowell, and will keep Jeremy in my thoughts. This is a terrible thing.
This is a sad story but an important one. Best of luck to Jeremy. His battle is hard but he seems to have the strength to deal with it. Talking about it so openly is a huge step.
You are in our thoughts….Miami
Wouldn’t anybody listen to Jeremy? He said he was going to check himself in right after Thanksgiving. Everything was totally under control, right? He just needed to get some things taken care of before he checked himself in, right? Probably pay off some bills, try to cancel his AOL, etc. And let’s not forget Thanksgiving. Sounds like a bunch of empty excuses from a very sweet guy with a very serious problem. Not to be nasty, but you were never going to check yourself in. Instead of spending your time at the hospital thinking about how you can get get a new lawyer; try utilizing the help your state is offering and focus on getting better.
It is terrible, but obviously there is a lot going on with him inside. He needs therapy and a better attitude.
If anorexia is a scream for attention, aren’t you enabling him by posting this?
thanks to andrew for posting this and to all of you who supported me
jeremy gillitzer
jeremy, we talked today for a minute over the phone. you did sound better than the other day. i think of you alot, especially since i have an eating disorder too. its not easy to deal with this disease from day to day. i can honestly say i know how you feel. i pray that you will get better and become happy again. talk soon my friend. :)
donnie
I saw him recently biking downtown. He still looks like death warmed over.
Hope he gets better.
Hi Jeremy. I’ve just read about you in a italian magazine. So i decided to search u in the web and i’m here. i tell u that i know what means bulimia or anorexia, cause i’m destroying all the mechanism tha caused these problems. I win on them but not yet on the psicological deviations. So… i hope u will get better with yourself, and i hope i will do the same, life is one, life is our.. if u want, i’m here:
http://www.leonorucha.splinder.com
http://www.alice-miller.com/ar.....038;grp=11
Jeremy Gilitzer passed away this past weekend.
May 28, 2010