Corey Jackson, a 19-year-old student at Oakland University in Rochester, Mich., was found dead in a wooded area near campus. Police say he hanged himself on Tuesday, Oct. 19. The report of another gay teenager committing suicide at an American college only reiterates the fact that LGBT youth suicide is a national epidemic.

LGBT youth do not commit suicide because they are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. They commit suicide because how society -- families, friends, government, churches, etc -- treats and views LGBT people.

According to local Michigan police bullying was not a factor in Johnson's death - but why does this matter? We must go beyond the national dialogue that has focused on "bullying" and remember that LGBT youth had been in the midst of an epidemic of suicides for decades.

Suicide is not a new problem. We are just paying attention now. Although bullying is a component to this national epidemic, we must dig deeper into the epidemic of LGBT youth suicide to truly understand why young people claim their life as an answer. What is REAL and much more pervasive than bullying is the anti-gay social stigma, internalized homophobia, discrimination and self crisis that LGBT and questioning or closeted youth experience.

All of us in society -- and specifically the LGBT movement itself -- needs to prioritize youth when it comes to support and funding of youth concerns. It is a travesty that it has taken a national news headline, and sadly many more now, to bring attention to LGBT youth suicide being a national epidemic.

Campus Pride is committed to doing whatever is necessary. Our mission is to give "voice" and "action" for LGBT young people -- to build future leaders and safer, more LGBT-friendly colleges and universities.

Finally, I hope people are listening and willing to take action. Let us focus more of our attention, resources and funding toward LGBT youth -- now is the time.

Shane Windmeyer
Executive Director
Campus Pride