More than 500 people crammed into the Holy Redeemer Roman Catholic Parish for the funeral of 15-year-old Jamie Hubley, son of Ottawa Councillor Allan Hubley, on Oct 20.
The gay teen endured years of homophobic bullying, which he logged on Tumblr and other social media, before committing suicide on Oct 14.
“I am tired of life really. It’s so hard, I’m sorry, I can’t take it anymore,” Hubley wrote on Oct 14, just before he took his own life. “I don’t want to wait three more years, this hurts too much. How do you even know it will get better? It’s not.”
His funeral took place in Kanata, near AY Jackson Secondary School, where Hubley, who was in Grade 10, was trying to restart a gay-straight alliance.
By 1pm, family and friends had taken their place inside the church. The mass of supporters extended into the foyer, where the service, which included readings from the Gospel of St Luke, could be heard.
The Mayor of Ottawa, Jim Watson and many of the city councillors were present. Donna Blackburn, Ottawa Carleton District School Board trustee, said that the mood was sombre and quiet. She said that Hubley’s cousin gave an eloquent eulogy and that his friend spoke warm heartedly about the teen but that she felt heavy at heart.
“I cannot think clearly. I am angry and I am upset,” she said.
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