BUFFALO -- A Buffalo family is speaking out in hopes of preventing another family from going through the nightmare they are living.
Tracy and Tim Rodemeyer are sharing their story with our affiliate, WGRZ-TV in Buffalo, to expose what they said led up to the death of their son.
14-year-old Jamey was found dead of an apparent suicide early Monday morning. His parents say he was bullied for years in middle school. Jamey even talked about it in this video he made on YouTube back in May.
In the video, Jamey reveals that he is bi-sexual and says he was constantly bullied because of it. He then repeatedly tells others that "it gets better" and ends the video making a heart sign with his hands.
There have been countless stories in recent years about gay teens taking their own lives because of bullying.
According to Mental Health America, gay, lesbian and bisexual youth are two to three times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers.
They are more likely to skip school due to fear, threats and property vandalism directed at them. An estimated 28 percent will drop out of school, more than three times the national average for heterosexual students.
According to several surveys, four out of five gay and lesbian students say they don't know one supportive adult at school.
Read more about how bullying can impact the lives of gay teenagers.
What can you do to stop this growing problem? Click here for information on how you can help.
Have you seen gay students bullied in school? Have you tried to stop it? Are you concerned about the recent rash of gay teens committing suicide after being bullied? What can be done to stop it? Leave your thoughts below.
