Missouri teacher mocks gay suicides on Facebook: 'Moral: Don't Be Gay'
Sat. October 29, 2011 11:38 PM by GoPride.com News Staff
Joplin, Missouri -
Joplin (Missouri) High School math teacher Jim Whitney is under investigation after posts he made on Facebook about a gay teenager who committed suicide.
A student at Joplin High School posted a link to a story about a gay kid who had killed himself.
The Joplin Globe said that Whitney commented: "Moral of the story: Don't be gay."
Others responded with shock, and then someone asked on Facebook: "How many more kids have to kill themselves before everyone realizes that this is an actual issue?"
Whitney allegedly posted: "11-13 ought to do it. Somewhere in that vicinity."
Whitney gave a brief statement to the Globe after the comments were reported.
"I do not condone bullying or harassment of any kind and I am very aware and saddened by the negative impact this type of behavior creates," he said. "I regret that the posts appeared on Facebook. They do not reflect my personal views and I apologize for any and all offenses caused by the comment."
The group "Missourians for Marriage Equality" made a screen grab of the conversation.
The teacher has told some people his Facebook account was hacked.
A student at Joplin High School posted a link to a story about a gay kid who had killed himself.
The Joplin Globe said that Whitney commented: "Moral of the story: Don't be gay."
Others responded with shock, and then someone asked on Facebook: "How many more kids have to kill themselves before everyone realizes that this is an actual issue?"
Whitney allegedly posted: "11-13 ought to do it. Somewhere in that vicinity."
Whitney gave a brief statement to the Globe after the comments were reported.
"I do not condone bullying or harassment of any kind and I am very aware and saddened by the negative impact this type of behavior creates," he said. "I regret that the posts appeared on Facebook. They do not reflect my personal views and I apologize for any and all offenses caused by the comment."
The group "Missourians for Marriage Equality" made a screen grab of the conversation.
The teacher has told some people his Facebook account was hacked.