Grieving mother creates support group for gay kids

CHAMPLIN, Minn. (AP) — A Minnesota woman whose son committed suicide after enduring anti-gay bullying is starting a support group for young people who might be bullied for their sexuality.

Tammy Aaberg’s 15-year-old son Justin killed himself last year. Since his death, Aaberg has pressed Anoka-Hennepin public schools to change a policy that calls for faculty to remain neutral when sexual orientation is discussed in school.

Aaberg has also helped in a lawsuit against the school over its policies.

Now she has co-founded a support group called Justin’s Gift. The group has its first event Oct. 22, a Halloween costume party in Champlin. The organization is being run out of Aaberg’s basement, but she has bigger dreams, including a community center for LGBT students in five years.