One half of The Veronicas, Jess Origliasso, has taken to social media to show her support for the Safe Schools anti-bullying program in a heartfelt post.

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Jess, who is an out member of the LGBTI community and partner to Ruby Rose, posted about attending a rally in her hometown of Brisbane to honour the life of Tyrone Unsworth, a 13-year-old boy who took his own life as a result of years of bullying. Origliasso wrote that Tyrone’s ordeal hit “too close to home.”

“I grew up in musical theatre from the age of 5, where boys were encouraged to explore female characters, wearing makeup and dresses, and the girls encouraged to explore male roles, with facial hair and suits. It was always a supportive creative environment and exploration, and a very ‘normal’ upbringing for me. I realised as I became older, how lucky I was to have that experience growing up,” Origliasso wrote.

“Kids, like Tyrone are bullied & and made to feel like outcasts for their sexual or gender diversity and interests. Bullied to a point that he felt his only option was to leave this life. My heart breaks to know my best friends growing up were exactly like Tyrone, but that I couldn’t help him.”

Origliasso’s post accompanies a photo of the popstar meeting with Tyrone Unsworth’s grandmother, who was also attending the rally. Origliasso writes that she hopes that Australians will continue to fight for equality to prevent others being lost as Tyrone was.

“Tyrone should still be here with us today. If only we had schools and legal rights that show all LGBTIQA+ youths, and bullies that the LGBTQIA+ community, and their diversity is as normal as a diverse choice in music.”

Read Jess’s full post below.

Today I attended an LGBTQIA+ ‘Safe Schools’ Rally here in my home town of Brisbane, in honour & memory of 13 year old Tyrone Unsworth. A boy who committed suicide just a week ago, after he was severely bullied for years at a school that I grew up 2minutes from. When I heard about his death it hit too close to home. I grew up in musical theatre from the age of 5, where boys were encouraged to explore female characters, wearing makeup and dresses, and the girls encouraged to explore male roles, with facial hair and suits. It was always a supportive creative environment and exploration, and a very ‘normal’ upbringing for me. I realised as I became older, how lucky I was to have that experience growing up. Kids, like Tyrone are bullied & and made to feel like outcasts for their sexual or gender diversity and interests. Bullied to a point that he felt his only option was to leave this life. My heart breaks to know my best friends growing up were exactly like Tyrone, but that I couldn’t help him. Here in Australia marriage equality is still not legal. The ‘Safe schools’ program is still not a mandatory inclusion in our school system. The LGBTQIA+ community are still fighting for the education and safety of our community. To be free to live lives with the same rights as everyone else! It devastates me that more is not being done to change this, NOW. I had the chance to meet Tyrone’s grandmother today, in this photo. She told me he was a fan of my music. I, like many others, wish I could have known Tyrone, and done anything to make sure he was still here today. We must all pledge to continue to fight for a change. A revolution of the mind. Of love. And acceptance of diversity. We all bleed red. We are all capable of great love and great sadness. We all wish to be loved and free to be ourselves. Please Australia, it’s time to do more. Tyrone should still be here with us today. If only we had schools and legal rights that show all LGBTIQA+ youths, and bullies that the LGBTQIA+ community, and their diversity is as normal as a diverse choice in music. RIP Tyrone. Your light will continue to shine on this issue until we have reached a greater outcome. 🌈🏳️‍🌈

A photo posted by Jessica • Reishi • Veronica (@jessicaveronica) on Dec 4, 2016 at 12:47am PST

OIP Staff

If you are struggling with anxiety or depression, support and counselling are available;

Lifeline: 13 11 14

beyondblue: 1300 22 4636 / beyondblue.org.au

QLife: 1800 184 527 (Free) / qlife.org.au
(QLife are a counselling and referral service for LGBTIQ+ people)