A gay Grade 9 student of PJ Simelane Secondary School ,Soweto a town in Johannesburg South Africa committed suicide and it is alleged that this was because a teacher mocked him for his sexuality.

According to Eye Witness News, the student was humiliated by the teacher during a class by making the whole lesson about the student’s sexuality. The student whose identity has not been disclosed to the public took his own life after returning from school.

Speaking to EWN, the Gauteng department of education said they have met with both the school and the family of the learner. Spokesperson Steve Mabona said a thorough investigation is now in full swing to find out what happened. “There are allegations which we are ready to continue to investigate as a department. We will make sure we investigate those allegations and report at a later stage on the outcome thereof.’’

East Africa does not have laws protecting sexual and gender minority belonging minors although Kenya recently passed an act that protects intersex children. Uganda on the other hand is deliberate on rejection of sexual and gender diverse communities and their rights. Matter of fact, as a country we cannot have a discussion about sexual and gender diverse children because certain people will be accused of recruiting children. Our way of handling sexual and gender diverse children is to give them enough trauma and self loathe growing up so as to turn them into suicidal adults.

Stop it! Protect gay kids!