Billy Lucas was 15 when he died by suicide in 2010 because he was bullied for being perceived to be gay. Two years later, his mother is suing the school that didn’t step in.

The suit claims Lucas was bullied for his ADHD, his ethnicity and his perceived sexual orientation, arguing that his school did not protect him and may even have contributed to his harassment. 

Greensburg Community Junior High School’s Principal Rodney King, Assistant Principal David Strouse and school employees Iris Ramp and Darci Kovacic are directly implicated in the suit.

The suit states, “King and Strouse had actual knowledge that [Lucas] was being harassed but turned a blind eye to the harassment. At one point King told W. [William/Billy] L., ‘If someone beat you up, I wouldn’t know whether to give him an award or suspend him.’ […] Ramp and Kovacich witnessed students harassing and bullying W.L. on multiple occasions yet did nothing to prevent or stop it.

In fact, Ramp and Kovacich not only ignored the harassment of W.L. by other students at the School, but in some cases encouraged and even actively participated in the harassment of W.L. themselves. Ramp and Kovacich verbally insulted, ridiculed, and abused W.L. in front of his peers on multiple occasions.”

Two years already. I hope this family is able to find peace in spite of such a terrible, unforgettable tragedy.