NJ college student whose sexual encounter was broadcast online kills self; 2 charged

NJ student secretly taped having sex kills himself

PISCATAWAY, N.J. — The suicide of a Rutgers University student is highlighting the problem of young people killing themselves after being tormented over their sexuality.

A lawyer for Tyler Clementi’s family says the 18-year-old freshman from Ridgewood, N.J., jumped off the George Washington Bridge last week after a recording of him having a sexual encounter with a man was broadcast online.

Prosecutors say Clementi’s roommate and another Rutgers freshman used a webcam to secretly transmit a live image of Clementi having sex. Both are charged with invading Clementi’s privacy.

Gay rights groups are working to combat what they say is a growing, troubling phenomenon of young people committing suicide after being harassed over their sexuality.

The group Families & Friends of Lesbians and Gays says it will issue a “call to action.”