No mainstream outlets have reported it yet, but news has just broke of a suicide in Northern Utah.
Ogden OUTreach, a support network for LGBT Utahns, issued an emotionally powerful press release on the tragedy, which was republished by gay alt-weekly Q Salt Lake:
On Monday, April 23, 18-year-old Alex Smith spoke on a community panel at a screening of “Bullied,” telling the packed room about the bullying his boyfriend, Jack, experienced at school. What no one in the room yet knew, including Alex, was that Jack had already taken his own life.
The death of Jack Reese is the latest known suicide of a gay teen in Northern Utah. One official says, off the record: “It happens here about once a week,” but then quickly adds, “but officially, you know, it doesn’t happen here.”
OUTreach is hosting a community response: “A Community Stands up – Northern Utah Addresses LGBT Bullying and Suicide.” It will take place May 1st, 6:30 pm at the Ogden Amphitheater, 343 E 25th ST, Ogden, UT. The purpose of the event is for the community to stand in solidarity with (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) LGBT youth, to speak out and express grief and outrage at yet another loss of life in Northern Utah and to witness for the need for immediate change in schools, churches and society.
While we of course have faith and believe OUTreach and Q, we’ll let you know when a mainstream news outlet confirms the death of Jack Reese. Stay strong, Alex Smith.
Hiro
Awful. Just awful. I’ve had some really tough times, thinking of suicide, but I can’t imagine the pain there must have been to cause this young man to actually go thru with it. Hope Alex can get grief counseling and let himself love again.
Danny
People do realize that the Mormon cult is only being nicer to GLBTA people because Romney – their golden boy – is running for prez. They started being nicer the moment he threw his hat into the ring to try to soften their image to the Christian majority (20 million cult members (including two-thirds nonpracticing or ex-mormons) vs. 220 millions Christians in the USA). Magic underwear doesn’t ward off sanity when you come of age and realize how f*cked-up your parents were to raise you in a cult.
nik
i….i’ve had some tough times since i came out two years ago…(17, 19 now)
sometimes, i even thought that…living like this wasnt worth it.
but i just couldnt really think about going through with it…it felt cowardly…in a way.
so i got stubborn…i got mad….it became easier.
i still feel a bit resentfull to people in general but…oh well…here’s to hope!
but sometimes…like tonight….all the hate….the cruelty…the bullying…..
everything…it just..get to me…and i feel lonely, helpless..
but…i keep saying “be stubborn be stubborn” and dream for a happy future..
a happy future is something this guy will never get…
his life was ruined by other people….how can these damm murderers still walk around?
He felt like he had no other way but to end his life……..