Junge, der als "schwul" verhöhnt wurde, weil er My Little Pony mochte, könnte nach Selbstmordversuch Hirnschaden behalten

Ich weiß rückblickend wirklich nicht mehr, warum wir so lange gebraucht haben, Schwulenrechte offensiver in das Thema Männerrechte zu integrieren. Sobald man sich näher damit beschäftigt, kommt einem genauso oft das Kotzen, wie wenn es um die Diskriminierung von Männern insgesamt geht. Der britische Independent berichtet über einen aktuellen Vorfall:

A US schoolboy who tried to kill himself after he was bullied for liking My Little Pony had a tracheotomy on Tuesday to help him breathe.

The operation comes after doctors reported that the child may have suffered permanent brain damage.

11-year-old Michael Morones, from North Carolina, was allegedly taunted by his classmates for being a fan of the popular children's television programme, because they said it was "gay".

He had tried to take his life in his room two weeks ago, cutting the oxygen supply to his brain, and has since been in a critical condition in hospital.

Doctors at the hospital say he could have suffered irreparable damage, and may be blind.

(His mother) said he told her before the incident: "Mum, I’m tired of people being mean to me, I’m tired of people calling me gay, I’m tired of people telling me I’m ugly, that I’m stupid."

His stepfather, Shannon Suttle, told Chicago Now: "He said to us that the other kids were telling him he was gay for loving Pinkie Pie [his favourite character] and they were trying to make him feel ashamed for being gay. We said that we didn’t care if he was gay or straight; he was our son and we would love him."

Bullying prevention expert Nancy Mullin told ABC: "Eleven to 15-year-old boys are very much at risk for thinking about suicide when they're perceived as being gay."

She praised Michael's parents for supporting his interests rather than reinforcing shameful feelings.

(...) Michael has also received support from the global "brony" community, consisting of men who like My Little Pony. The men have rallied together to help Michael’s family pay for his care. They have so far raised $48,000 (£29,426).

Geschichten wie diese sind offenkundig nicht nur für linke, sondern auch für liberale Männerrechtler ein Thema, da es um die Kernforderung "Rollenfreiheit für Männer" geht (vgl. Männerbeben S. 272 ff.) Streng genommen geht es hier noch nicht mal um die Diskriminierung von Schwulen, sondern um die Diffamierung von atypischen Jungen.

Einen empfehlenswerten Artikel über Homophobie und wie sie Teenager zu Selbsttötungen treiben kann veröffentlichte vor zwei Jahren übrigens der Rolling Stone.

(Ich schaue ja wegen der Leser, die mit langen englischen Texten Probleme haben, immer nach, ob es nicht auch schon einen deutschen Artikel über den aktuellen Fall gibt, habe aber nur diese Kurzmeldung gefunden.)