A small group of Buffalo State students joined hundreds of others from the Buffalo community on Sunday to remember the life of 14-year-old Jamey Rodemeyer and to stand up against bullying.
Rodemeyer took his own life on Sept. 18 after years of bullying over his struggle with his sexuality.
His death led to a national outcry for legislation that would bring an end to bullying.
In the last minutes of his life, Rodemeyer tweeted Lady Gaga to say thank you and goodbye.
Lady Gaga in turn tweeted that she won’t stop until something is done about the bullying in this country, and she is going to go as far as to meet with President Obama to discuss the matter.
The fight against bullying is something that people all over the country are joining in on, including the students at Buffalo State.
“I wasn’t bullied myself, but I saw people who were,” said freshman undeclared major Stephanie Barnes. “I saw it happen in high school and wouldn’t do anything about it, but now it’s something I can’t stand to see happen to anyone.”
Both members and non-members of the Buffalo State Pride Alliance attended the candlelight vigil walk from the corner of Main St. and Allen St. that ended at Club Marcella.
The Pride Alliance made a sign that read “Buff State Supports” and “Paws Up!!” to show their love and support for Rodemeyer and anyone else who has been bullied.
Members of the Buffalo State Residence Life staff all signed the board, which was also available to be signed by students during the Union Bash drag show.
Participants carried the sign during the entire walk to show the support of not just those who were there, but the Buffalo State community as a whole.
After the walk, members of the community gave speeches on the topic of bullying.
Miguel Gorman, the organizer for the vigil, talked about his own history with bullies.
“There were times that I just wanted to give up,” he said. “I was emotionally drained to the point where wasn’t able to cry because I was so numb.”
Other speakers at the event were Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown, State Senator Mark Grisanti and gay rights activist Kitty Lambert.
“Bullying is wrong, and no one should have to go through it,” Brown said. “We should never stand for it.”
The mayor also talked about new education programs for teachers in all grade levels on bullying and how to prevent it or resolve it.
Grisanti, a Republican from Buffalo, was originally opposed to equal rights for the LGBT community, but voted yes to marriage equality in New York state.
Grisanti talked about bullying in the workplace, and how bullying doesn’t just end with children. He also stressed that it does get better, and what happened to Rodemeyer should never happen again.
Throughout the night, donations were taken for the Friends of Jamey Rodemeyer Fund, which will be donated to whichever organization Rodemeyer’s parents choose.
They were also selling purple bracelets with Rodemeyer’s name embossed on the front, and his now immortalized phrase, “Paws Up Forever” on the back.
There were also performances in Club Marcella that night to honor Rodemeyer’s life, and all tips received were also donated.
By the end of the night after over $1,000 had been donated to the fund, proving again that Buffalo really is the City of Good Neighbors.
“This tremendous turnout shows that in Buffalo and Western New York it can end here,” Brown said. “Bullying can end here.”
Matt Schmidt can be reached by e-mail at schmidt.record@live.com