The reason for this petition is due to the Cashmere School District failing to follow it's own anti-harassment policies, which led to the bullying and subsequent suicide of a beloved young teen, only because he was openly gay.

It's time for the Cashmere School District to educate its students on the effects of bullying and to reinforce that policy for its staff members, regardless of their own beliefs on the "issue" of homosexuality. No child should have to feel so helpless and alone that their only measure of action is ending their own life.

No matter how much you disagree with someone, they don't deserve to be physically or emotionally harmed. To say that no staff member or classmate ever saw this student being bullied, would be a figment of any logical mind's imagination. The failure of the Cashmere School District cannot go unanswered.

Rafael Morelos, 14, was punched in the locker rooms, taunted in the classroom, and tormented online. Maybe your child, your grand child, or your younger sibling isn't homosexual, but what's to stop other children from harassing them for being different? The Cashmere School District certainly isn't going to stop them as evidenced by its lack of response and change. 

The only effort put forward by the administration was at one time when "appropriate action" was taken. This is a farse. If appropriate action had been taken, then we wouldn't need to petition the school district, Rafael would still be alive and his family would not be mourning his death.

Although the Cashmere School District is not entirely to blame, as this is a community issue, it is important for the district to reinforce anti-harassments and anti-bullying polices/procedures in staff and students in any positive way. 

So please, in an effort for equality, and in an effort to save many more from pain, suffering, and even death, sign this petition.

I will hand deliver these petitions to Superintendent, Glenn Johnson and all other administrators in the Cashmere School District, they already recieve an email, but a show of petition in paper will make a much bigger impression.

I hope anyone reading this, demands change from him and his school district as well! 

It takes the voice of many to make a change for the better.

If you wish to learn more about the reasons behind this petition, or if you'd like to reach out to the Cashmere School District and express your concern, the information can be found here:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2017840595_suicide26m.html?prmid=4939 

http://thenewcivilrightsmovement.com/bullying-not-investigated-in-suicide-of-14-year-old-anti-gay-bullying-victim/discrimination/2012/02/06/34196​  

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/06/rafael-morelos-gay-washington-suicide_n_1258471.html​

http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/cashmere-community-mourns-after-teen-commits-suici/nHTSw/​

http://www.cashmere.wednet.edu/
  You can contact Superintendent Glenn Johnson at: gjohnson@cashmere.wednet.edu

And please spread the word!

the link for this petition is: http://www.change.org/petitions/one-life-is-enough