Bullied Gay Teen Who Hanged Himself Dies

Openly gay teen Jadin Bell, who hanged himself two weeks ago after being pushed to do so by bullies at his school and on the Internet, died this morning at a Portland hospital. You may recall that he was taken off life support last week. Bell was just 15 years old.

High School Student's Senior Project Documents the Coming Out Stories of 10 Gay Men from Ages 15 to 82: VIDEO

Devon Yaffe, a high school senior in L.A., sent us this clip of his Senior Project, a 90-minute documentary in which ten gay men talk about their experiences growing up and coming out. Its concept is simple and compelling.

Writes Devon:

When given the guidelines, I decided to do more than  just a high school project. I wanted to take this beyond high school and into the world. I felt so strongly about my project that there was no turning back and that deep down I knew this was going to be something life changing. During the process of this project my world had been changed, as my eyes were opened to a community in which I regretfully wasn't active. Now, after learning so much about this incredible world,  I feel I would love to be involved with the community and possibly become a gay rights activist. I am proud of my project and feel that I did, in fact, do it justice. I explored unknown territory for many gay teens. I hope that gay youth all over can see what I have created and be inspired to add their voice to the community. I feel I have created one of the best kinds of documentaries there is: the true life testimony of those who have grown up gay in a heterosexual world.

Devon knew everyone in the documentary personally except for the two eldest men, whom he met down the street from his school at a Gay and Lesbian Elder Housing center. A few of the classrooms at his school have screened his short film and his Gay-Straight Alliance is hosting a screening night.  We think he deserves an A+.

Check it out, AFTER THE JUMP...

LGBTQ Youth, Allies, and Their Families from Modesto, California Speak Out with Signs: VIDEO

The Place is an LGBTQ youth support center run by the UCC in Modesto, California.

We've all seen these sign videos before, but this one will warm your heart on a cold winter's day.

Check it out, AFTER THE JUMP...

Cyndi Lauper Speaks Out for LGBT Youth in 'Rolling Stone', Demands Lawmakers Protect Them

Cyndi Lauper continues her advocacy for LGBT youth with a new editorial in Rolling Stone, condemning congressional deadlock on budget policy:

While some members of Congress have recognized that this budget issue is a matter of life or death for many Americans, including LGBT youth, the House majority continues to hold onto their vows to protect the wealthiest Americans from tax increases. I am one of those Americans, and I do not need protecting. I am fully prepared to pay my fair share to ensure our country gets back on track. And by the way, these are the same House leaders who last summer required the same type of wholesale cuts set to go into effect in return for raising our nation's debt ceiling.

So, while this budget standoff may sound like a problem just for Washington bureaucrats, it is actually much bigger than that. It impacts every person, every community, all of us – gay and straight, young and old. And we need to do something about it.

We need to cut through the abstract jargon and tell Congress to set aside partisan differences and adopt a sustainable plan that protects life-saving services for LGBT youth and other marginalized populations, including senior citizens, people of color and women. If they can't do that by the end of the year, then a short-term agreement delaying budget cuts should be put in place to give the next Congress a chance to agree on a long-term fiscal solution.

Visit Lauper's True Colors Fund HERE.

In Five Days, Jacob Tobia Will Run Across the Brooklyn Bridge in Stilettos for Homeless LGBT Youth: VIDEO

Duke University junior Jacob Tobia is putting on his best heels this Saturday for NYC's Ali Forney Center, which was devastated by Hurricane Sandy.

Writes Tobia:

Many of you know me for my gender-bending style and fabulous high-heels, and to help out the Ali Forney Center, I'm putting them to good use. If I can raise $10,000 by Saturday, December 15th, I will run across the iconic Brooklyn Bridge--which is over a mile long--in 5" stilettos. So if you want to see me do the impossible, donate to my campaign and encourage your friends to do the same. 100% of donations will go directly to the Ali Forney Center, and all donations are fully tax deductible.

Watch his warm-up video, AFTER THE JUMP...

And help him out here.

You Can't Be Gay Unless You Have a Job: VIDEO

The illustrated tale of Graham Gremore's desperate longing to be a homosexual as a young person. Lucky for him, it worked out in the end.

Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...