Seth Walsh – Age 13
Seth Walsh was a 13-year-old in Tehachapi, California who attended eighth grade at Jacobsen Middle School. He was bullied at school for his style of dress and his mannerisms and that bullying only intensified when he announced he was gay. Time magazine did a piece on Seth’s death, and quotes Seth’s younger brother Shawn Walsh (age 11) who said at his brother’s funeral, “I always wanted to protect him,” said Shawn, as sobs broke out in the church. “I just wish people could have been nice to him like my mom taught me.” According to family members, the school was well aware of the situation, but opted to do nothing.
The Time Magazine article says it best:
On Sept. 19, his single mother Wendy found him unconscious; he had tried to hang himself from a tree in his backyard after another apparent bullying incident. He lingered on life support for more than a week [passing on 29 September]. His death has since shattered emotions in this rural community 120 miles (190 km) north of Los Angeles. Close to 600 townspeople crammed into First Baptist on Friday, Oct. 1, to remember the teen who loved Pokémon, adored french fries above all other food and had an obsession with disco music. The church was so crowded that Pastor Ron Barker had mourners sit on the floor along the entire length of the middle aisle so everyone could find room inside the church. Still, many mourners gave up trying to enter. “Seth had friends that even this building could not contain,” Barker said, smiling even as he knew the crowds in the church were a clear building violation. “My prayer for today is that the fire people don’t show up.”
Subsequently, Wendy Walsh, spoke about her son’s death in this ACLU video:
Time Magazine – Seth Walsh
After seeing this i realized that dying is not the answer, it only makes things worse. im sorry for even thinking about it……..
I’ve been bullied at school many times , and yeah i know how hard it is , sometimes i think about sucide too , but i have a little brother i can’t leave him alone in this stupid world , i’m sorry Seth he was a beautiful guy 🙁
I’m sorry. We should never have to hide
i even have a little problem at school im i the 8th grade and play lacrosse but trust me everything will get better! now im one of those popular kids. everything gets better people, but not perfect nothing is perfect if people make fun of u everything gets better.
i have the same problem because i love to ride unicycle but everyone makes fun of me…..
im in the eight grade also…im terrably sorry
This had me crying. I’m so sorry his only escape was through death, it could’ve gotten better for him, and I wonder if those kids are happy for what they’ve done… he was only 13.. RIP Seth Walsh
A 13 year old killed himself just because people saw him diffeerently. You should never quit on yourself always stay strong my bullying ended in the 5th grade. i finally stood for myself and now i stand up for others. everyone is to be treated equaly in this world. not one single person is different in this world. make this stop and let this end no more deaths.
R.I.P <3
Nina aka. Carolina
This makes me cry. He was such a adorable kid. He seemed nice and kind. I get bullied at school(people don’t know) I try and Stand up for my self but sometimes it doesn’t work. I’ve tried commiting sucide. I still think about doing it too. Sometimes I think why am I here. No one cares about me. So instead I get the blade and start. But I don’t know if it’s the right thing to do. After I just saw this. It made me think. So I think I’m going to do the right thing…. R.I.P<3
Seth is an adorable boy. Middle School is always a hardship for any kid. Meeting new people and trying to discover yourself. Kids are ruthless. Seth and any other child has potential to be something great who ever you are and what ever your sexuality is. For someone who has read this for the first time and listened to his mother talk about her son, I will always have Seth in my heart though you may not know me. Seth Walsh from Tehachapi, California Rest In Peace buddy You’ll Never Be Forgotten<3
Seth, I am so sorry that you had gotten bullied to the brink. If i were at your school, i would have walked with you and been proud to call you my friend. I am so sorry.
Jeremy Moore
I miss you seth. i didnt even know you but i miss you i wish you had lived. you meant so much to everyone those bullies they shouldnt have meant anything to you. it couldve gotten better. miss you seth. rest in peace.
found this from rise against song “september’s children”…. very sad, sad situation
I’m not gay but I have nothing against them my best friend is gay actualy, but this story brings tears to my eyes. I have not seen people being picked on for there sexual preference but if I did I would give the kids a good lesson. I’ve already seen a boy in my school commit suicide I wish I would have known about it. I hope bullying can end forever and we can be done with all this shit
only if only if
Im sorry but im left in tears because this young man is my hero because he knew who he was at 6th grade. And im always complaining about my confusion and hiding just to have an easier life. Yet this changes everything because even though he died. He died being who he was and who he loved being. So god bless his soul and may the lord show mercy for taking his own life. R.I.P
Thank you for both taking the time to read and comment. My hope is that through each of these stories, we learn.
its amazing how heartless people can be.