Brisbane high school student Tyrone Unsworth takes own life after being bullied about sexuality

HIS favourite saying was ‘sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me’. But on Tuesday this 13-year-old Brisbane high school student took his own life after being bullied about his sexuality.

Year 7 student Tyrone Unsworth took his own life on Tuesday.

A 13-YEAR-OLD Brisbane high school student has taken his own life after being bullied about his sexuality.

Amanda Unsworth said her teenage son Tyrone, a Year 7 student at Aspley State High School, was taunted for years about being gay before his tragic death on Tuesday.

“Tyrone ended up being gay and a lot of people started picking on him,” a devastated Ms Unsworth told The Courier-Mail last night.

“He was a really feminine male, he loved fashion, he loved make-up and the boys always picked on him, calling him gay-boy, faggot, fairy; it was a constant thing from Year 5,” she said.

“I feel like these people who were bullying Tyrone are the cause of why he is not here any more. They pushed him to the edge.”

Tyrone’s death came less than a month after he was hospitalised following a violent clash, allegedly with a fellow student, outside the school grounds.

Ms Unsworth claimed her son was hit in the jaw with a fence paling so hard that he required surgery and was too afraid to return to school after the incident.

Ms Unsworth said before that attack the family had not reported the bullying to Aspley State High School.

Queensland Police last night confirmed there was an ongoing investigation into the alleged assault.

Tyrone Unsworth with his mother.

Tyrone’s grandmother, Twiggy Jones, said the attack changed her grandson.

“When he came out of hospital he was a different boy ... he just kept telling us all ‘I don’t want to go to school, I don’t want to end up back at hospital’,” she said.

Ms Jones said before that, Tyrone was a “very happy-go-lucky kid” who would be remembered for his big beautiful smile.

Aspley State High School principal Jacquita Miller said the bullying of Tyrone had not been reported to the school, and her heart went out to his family.

“We are really sympathetic with the family, and his loved ones and peers,” Ms Miller said.

“We had no reports to the school of the bullying, we really try to work with families to resolve these complex issues. I’m just so sorry and sad that we didn’t have the opportunity to help this young man.”

Friends and family of ­Tyrone took to social media to mourn the young teenager’s death.

Aspley State High School principal Jacquita Miller speaking to media on Friday. Pic: Tara Croser.

Several admitted that they had heard or witnessed the bullying.

“I knew what he went through, I should’ve said or done something, just wish he knew that life gets better,” one fellow student said.

Ms Unsworth is now planning a funeral for her beloved son, who she said was a deeply loving boy who was always there for his family.

“He had such big ambitions for life, he wanted to be a vet and save animals, or he wanted to be a fashion ­designer,” she said.

“I will always remember his bright blue eyes, his deep dimples, that cheeky little smile, and the way we used to go shopping together and he used to tell me what I had to wear and what the latest fashions were.”

Tyrone Unsworth was a Year 7 student at Aspley State High School. Picture: Jodie Richter

The heartbroken mum said her son’s favourite saying used to be “sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me”.

“Obviously they ended up getting him,” Ms Unsworth said.

Safe Schools Coalition Australia (SSCA) responded to news of the tragedy.

“Safe Schools Coalition Australia (SSCA) is deeply saddened by the impact of bullying and discrimination on all LGBTI young people,” a spokesman said.

“We express our deepest sympathies to the family and ask that the public respect their right to privacy.

“SSCA exists because research shows that students at safe and supportive schools have better educational outcomes and are less likely to have poor mental health outcomes.

“The research study, Writing Themselves In found that 75 per cent of same sex attracted young people aged between 14 and 21 years of age had experienced some form of homophobic bullying or abuse because of their sexuality, or the perception of their sexuality. Eighty per cent said it was while they were at school.

“Research also highlights that young LGBTI people suffer higher rates of poor mental health and suicide due to bullying and discrimination.”

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