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9 Year Old Comes Out, Then Dies by Suicide

Bullying played a major role in his passing.

A 9-year-old Colorado boy has died by suicide after coming out as gay.

Jamel Myles, a fourth-grader from Denver, died last week. His mother, Leia Pierce, told local news about the turn of events that led to her son's passing:

"He looked so scared when he told me. He was like, ‘Mom I’m gay,’" she said. "And I thought he was playing, so I looked back because I was driving, and he was all curled up, so scared. And I said, 'I still love you.' He went to school and said he was gonna tell people he’s gay because he’s proud of himself."

Pierce did confirm that bullying was a factor (and possibly the catalyst) in the death of her son, who also expressed an interest in dressing with more gender-fluidity. But four days into the school year, all that changed.

A letter sent Friday from Denver Public Schools to families said Myles' school is providing extra social workers and a crisis team for students. In the statement, the district also said it will continue to offer support to the family. Despite this tragedy, Pierce still wants to spread awareness about the effects of bullying.

"We should have accountability for bullying. I think the child should. Because the child knows it’s wrong," she said. "The child wouldn’t want someone to do it to them. I think the parent should be held because obviously the parents are either teaching them to be like that, or they’re treating them like that."

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