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'The Nate Berkus Show' honors Seth Walsh, the bullied gay teen who committed suicide
This year has been a rough one as we've had to come to terms with the deadly consequences of teen bullying. On Wednesday, Dec. 29, "The Nate Berkus Show" dedicates an hour to Seth Walsh, the 13-year-old Tehachapi, Calif. boy who killed himself after relentless bullying, because he was gay.
"I knew that I wanted to do a show that celebrates Seth's life," Nate Berkus tells Zap2it. "One of the many things that I was very touched by was [Seth's mother] Wendy's immediate acceptance of him. From the minute he told her he was gay, she said, 'I know. I love you. Don't worry.' This was the story of a child who had the support of his family, but it was a very painful hour."
Both Seth's mother, Wendy Walsh, and his younger brother, 11-year-old Shawn, join Nate to remember Seth's life and discuss how we can avoid another tragedy like his.
"[Shawn has] been put in a position in which he had to grow up very, very quickly," Berkus says. "And the hope I have for children is that they're protected from the reality of life as long as possible. Seth's brother had to come to terms with a very real tragedy at a very young age."
Berkus has a few surprises in store for the Walsh family. The designer has redesigned the youth lounge at YESS, an LGBT community center in New York City, which has been named in Seth's honor. And country music star, Chely Wright, who publicly came out earlier this year, will be there to unveil the new space.
"I just wanted the place to feel finished and feel permanent," the designer says. "I think in a lot of these centers around the country, the last thing they can spend money on is furniture and decoration, because they have to allocate every dollar to actually providing their services to the community."
The surprises don't stop there, but we'll let you tune in to find out what they are. It promises to be a very touching hour and Berkus has no shortage of passion for the subject.
"I wish we didn't need a center and the funding to create a haven for a certain type of child, so they could feel safe," he tells us. "How is that possible with all of our education and our collective knowledge in our society that we have to create a building that children can go to, because they're gay? My goal is that they won't be necessary for long. But, unfortunately, they're very necessary right now."
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I am a mother of an elite club but one that keeps growing. I too had a son that conmitted suicide for being gay. Scott died 25+ years ago afraid to speak his mind and let out the fact he was gay. Many times he would put down gay people just to avoid his true feelings. After he died, I went from hell to beyond. Oh was your son in drugs to, gees you are still young enough to have another child. Kids must know, yes you are taking care of your problems but you are leaving a whole set of problems for the ones that love you. His brother for instance is still dealing with anger,his grandparents being too old to understand that he was dealing with being gay, died years later wondering what was wrong. If these young kids are dealing with committing sucide they must hear the other side of the coin as well. What they leave behind. Mothers,fathers,siblings, aunts and uncles asking themselve why. Even the mailman shaking his head as he walks by. they must know there is help out there, they are not alone. If the world can accept people like LadyGaGa,and make her a person of great interest then why won't they accept other people that have something interesting to add to the world. Not trying to put down the Lady, but she is different and accepted, why can't gay people. I am now 64 years old, and able to watch what was frowned upon 20+ years ago and I see we are still just cracking the tape on the box lid to the understanding that gays, blacks, and others are just people.
i was watch your show on the seth about being gay i am going through the same thing i dont have no one to go to or listen to me at this point i fell i cant get the school to help me with the bullying i am not able to get help so i decided to turn to you on maybe you will help me my son had a friend committe suide and they were very close friend and i know what he going through his friend did and no one listen all i asking is for help to save my son befoe he try something .please help if you can
Nate gave the web address of his help line,(I don't remember it)Would it be possible to get it again. I would love to help those in need. I fought being gay for way too long, which led to other problems, etc. Thank you in advance for your help. Nate, keep up the fantastic work you do, love your show.
Thank you for standing up. Thank you for being a voice to those that have none, or are afraid. Let people live, leave the judgement to God.