by Kim Gebbia
NASHVILLE, Tenn- Hundreds gathered for the funeral of 14-year-old Phillip Parker in Carthage this afternoon. The openly gay 8th grader committed suicide after being reportedly bullied at school. His death marks the second teen suicide in the mid-state in a matter of weeks.
"It is very tragic day in Smith County and in Tennessee when we lose a teen to suicide," said Scott Ridgeway with the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network.
Phillip Parker's family said he was bullied for being gay, bullied into suicide.
"A sweet kind person like Phillip took it out on himself, he killed himself to get out of the pain," said his grandfather, Paul Harris.
Gordonsville High Principal Annette Hord responded to his death and told NewsChannel 5 by phone, "We are deeply saddened by Phillip's death; we need prayers for them and these students at Gordonsville. Bullying reports are taken very seriously, we follow procedure, and we are investigating what may have led up to this."
Grief Counselors flooded Gordonsville High Monday, ironically the start of National No Name Calling Week.
"What we really need to make sure now as we heal this community and work with this community and remember that this young man probably had a lot going on his life," said Ridgeway.
Phillip Parker's Facebook Page has hundreds of comments from people all over the world including condolences and messages of hope that bullies will finally understand the power of their words. It was just six weeks ago when a similar memorial page was created for Ashland City Teen, Jacob Rodgers, who also took his own life after being bullied at school.
"It is particularly devastating to the community here in Nashville to have two suicides in such a short time frame," said Rodger Dinwiddie, the head of Students Taking a Right Stand in Nashville. Dinwiddie believes the problem won't end if people wait for teens to stop bullying, but only when teens decide to speak up when they see a bully in action.
"That they really decide to do something vigilant about the issue to take responsibility, take a stand, step up to the plate and do something about it," said Dinwiddie.
A candlelight vigil is being held on Thursday night in Cookeville in honor of Phillip Parker.
Email: kgebbia@newschannel5.com
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