[*Anya*]

Trevor Project Intern Takes His Own Life
Filed By Bil Browning | January 13, 2012 11:00 AM

Teenage Trevor Project intern, EricJames Borges, took his own life this week after years of bullying from schoolmates and his family. The young man was a budding filmmaker and had created an It Gets Better video just last month.

Borges said in the video, "I was raised in an extremist Christian household. My earliest recollections of my experience with the relentless and ongoing bullying was in kindergarten, but of course to a lesser degree....Throughout elementary, junior high and high school it got progressively worse. I was physically, mentally, emotionally and verbally assaulted on a day-to-day basis for my perceived sexual orientation...'My name was not Eric but 'Faggot'...I reached my limit when I was assaulted in a full classroom with a teacher present. I dropped out, went on independent studies, graduated early and started college...My mother knew I was gay and performed an exorcism on me in an attempt to cure me....My anxiety, depression, self-loathing and suicidal thoughts spiked...I had nowhere safe to go, either at home or school... My parents told me that, among other things, I was disgusting, perverted, unnatural and damned to Hell. About two months ago they officially kicked me out of my house."

Trevor Project spokesperson Laura McGinnis expressed sorrow at the young man's decision to end his own life. "We are deeply saddened to hear about the tragic death of EricJames Borges, and our hearts go out to his family and friends, and his community. EricJames was a dedicated, trained volunteer. Our main concern right now is that those affected by his death feel supported and can get the care they need. If you or someone you know needs support, please don't hesitate to call the Trevor Lifeline at 866-488-7386."