Nelly Speaks Out On Bullying

Nelly Furtado has responded to the recent rash of gay teen suicides with a personal message for young men and women dealing with antigay bullying. She says her latest single, “Night Is Young,” was inspired by her gay best friend, a modern dancer and choreographer.

Nothing makes me more brokenhearted than seeing people who feel they can’t be themselves. It’s such a crime. God, it’s so hard and horrible to be a teenager, and the virtual way young people communicate nowadays makes them feel even more disconnected. My advice is to reach out and find somebody you can relate to, because human interaction can heal those wounds. Growing up in a small town, I felt like an alien with dreams, goals, and no idea how to make it all happen, but finding a kinship with other musicians got me through it. It’s important to know that you’re not alone. You have to start from day one and be vigilant. You have to shield your child from negativity and correct when people say things that are incorrect. You have to normalize the reality of the world, because we all come from the same place, and we’re all in this together. I’m proud to live in Canada, a country that supports gay marriage, because I can speak openly about it to my child. ... Children shouldn’t be raised in a bubble. There’s nothing wrong with it, so why wouldn't I treat it as normal?