The tragic suicide of Queensland teenager Tyrone Unsworth has left a lasting scar on the hearts of many Australians, including Sydney muso Jack Colwell.
The singer-songwriter has just released a charity single in honour of the late 13-year-old, who took his own life last week, after being mercilessly bullied over his sexuality.
Colwell’s tribute single, aptly titled No Mercy, is a rallying cry against homophobia in Australia, particularly on the part of some of our nation’s top policy-makers and their staunch opposition to LGBTQI education.
Colwell explains: “After a year that has seen a sustained campaign against the Safe Schools program, the suicide of a 13-year-old boy who wanted nothing more than to grow up to be a vet or a fashion designer, and our government moving LGBTQI people around as though we’re chess pieces, I felt I had to release this song urgently to let young people know that we’re listening to them, and that we hear them and see them. I hope this song can empower young queer people who may be struggling.”
He continues: “I’m not a politician or a public speaker, but I can write a song. Hopefully, it will add to the conversation.”
100 per cent of the proceeds from downloads of Colwell’s single will be donated to QLife, a project of the National LGBTI Health Alliance that provides “LGBTQIA-specialist counselling and referral for people of all ages, across Australia”.
“More than half of all phone and webchat contacts made to QLife are from people under 26 years old, suggesting how important this national, free and anonymous service is for young people”, says Stella Topaz, project manager of QLife.
“Jack Cowell’s release of No Mercy is not just a heartfelt reminder of the pressures young LGBTI people face, it will make a real difference with donations being directed to QLife.”
You can stream No Mercy below or else download it here.
And for anyone who might be struggling, you can reach QLife on 1800 184 527 or by webchat at qlife.org.au
