Disturbing news out of England

[Matt Algren]

I just don't understand people.

Gay teen was goaded into suicide by jeering mob (http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-9237.html)

A 17 year old boy who threw himself off the roof of a shopping centre in Derby last week as some of the crowd gathered to watch goaded him to jump was gay.

In a three hour standoff in the city centre, Shaun Dykes spoke at length to police officers last Saturday before plunging 60ft to his death.

Eyewitness Alasdair Kay told the BBC's Today programme: "I was shopping with my family and couldn't work out why it was taking so long to get out of the car park… (but) as soon as I came out I saw a young lad at the top of the parapet at the shopping centre.

"People were filming… we could hear people shouting "jump you…" followed by a stream of expletives.

"They weren't all just young people, some were middle-aged. To be honest with you I was sickened."

Derbyshire's Chief Constable Mick Creedon has confirmed that members of the public encouraged the teenager to kill himself. Some filmed the event and posted it on the internet.

Pictures of him standing on top of the railings before his death also appeared in the Daily Mail.

It is thought up to 300 people gathered below the shopping centre where Mr Dykes was perched on railings. Some brought their children to watch.

[tdogg]

Brings to mind things I've read about British history, where public mobs were present at hangings, tortures and beheadings. This is another example where negative attitudes of the public have a negative influence on lives. This poor young man, it's horrifying to think what his last hours, and moments, were like. Horrifying.

[Rick336]

The human brain works in mysterious ways.

Rick

[antiochian]

This is just beyond sad, and makes me mad as hell. What a bunch of sick fucks. May poor Shaun rest in peace.

[GearoidK]

As shocking as this sounds, it's not really that surprising that something like this could have taken place.

To me, this is a fine example of what happens when a society views an unchangeable aspect of someones life as "unnatural". I'm sure that a lot of the people who were present thought more about the fact that this kid was "queer" and how much they disagreed with it than the fact that he was a 17 year old human being in pain.

Here in Northern Ireland, Iris Robinson, sort of our First Lady, made a statement that being gay was a horrible sin that corrupted society and should be cured. When we have messages like this coming from politicians and respected clerics, it influences people's perceptions and how they view others.

If there was ever a strong case for the dangers of homophobia and the need to radically chage society, this is it.

Rest in peace Shaun

[tymejumper]

I have to agree that they are a bunch of sick f*cks. Unfortunately, people will walk past a woman being beaten and raped on the street and have and do nothing to stop it. Why would they try to stop a boy who is not exactly fitting within what they deem as natural? Unfortunately, mean people raise mean little people. Those are the people that should be prevented from breeding!

God bless poor Shaun, and may his soul attain peace.