Minnesota Teen Commits Suicide; Friends Say Anti-Gay Bullying Of Lance Lundsten Contributing To His Death

KSAX-TV is reporting that 18 year old Lance Lundsten, a student at Jefferson High School in Alexandria, Minnesota has died, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office reportedly responding to an emergency call at the family’s residence. When officers arrived, they found the 18 year old needing emergency treatment. He was transported to hospital, where he later died. The Sheriff’s Office confirms the death was suicide. According to his Facebook page, Lundsten was openly gay, and friends say they believed he was bullied because of his sexual orientation, and that the bulling led to his suicide. Those reports have not been confirmed by his family. Shari Maloney, the facilitator of Diversity Resource Action, said “Bullying is a huge issue, particularly with the youth in our country now. I think because we’re in central Minnesota, and we aren’t as diverse as some of the larger Metropolitan areas are, someone who is different maybe draws more attention and it’s not always positive.” She adds that although she works each day to make Alexandria a more accepting place, “I think we are welcoming community, but I think we are also a very traditional community as well. As the world changes, I’m not sure if we’re changing.”