Bette Midler mourns gay suicides

Bette Midler has mourned the death of four gay US teenagers who recently killed themselves after suffering homophobic abuse.

The singer and actress gave her views in a post on her official website titled "A note on the bullying of gay teens".

Midler said: "It is a sad, sad day for America when young people would rather die than endure one more day of hatred and relentless persecution.

"As a mother, I am ashamed of all the parents who have failed to teach even the most basic human lessons to their children, 'Live and let Live' and 'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you'."

She continued: "The normal, everyday kindness that we took for granted just a few years ago is a thing of the past, and I for one, mourn it deeply.

"Technology, the internet, with its anonymity, have allowed people to behave like beasts, pouncing on the weak and howling with laughter when they inflict a wound, that only the strongest could survive."

Midler added: "What are we doing to ourselves? How are we to survive as a nation, when hate seems to be the only thing that motivates us??

"Four children are dead by their own hand because they just couldn't take any more. How many more are we going to sacrifice to the hyenas? Isn't it time to stop??"

> Radcliffe 'heartbroken over gay suicides'