Hundreds of people gathered in western New York to pay their respects to the 14 year old boy who committed suicide after he was allegedly bullied for years over his sexuality. YNN's Kevin Jolly reports.

  To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.

Then come back here and refresh the page.

WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y. -- More than 500 people gathered at Saint Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Williamsville to say a final farewell to Jamey Rodemeyer.

Six pall bearers, four adults and two young teens carried Jamey Rodemeyer's casket into the church for a mass of Christian burial.

The 14-year-old was a freshman at Williamsville North High School. He took his own life after enduring what his parents say was years of bullying. Before his death, Rodemeyer posted several messages and videos online talking about being bullied at school, grappling with his sexuality and thoughts of suicide.

Cheyenne Phillips said, “Why him? And why were kids so mean to him just because he had decided his sexuality and stuff."

Phillips was one Jamey's many friends who came out to say goodbye. "He was very nice caring and always there for his friends and would help when you had problems,” said Phillips.

Rodemeyer's suicide has touched off a national dialogue about the issue of bullying, even garnering the attention of pop music superstar Lady Gaga, who's calling for an anti- bullying law named after Rodemeyer. Many teens who attended the funeral say bullying continues to be a big problem in school and online.

"I think if everyone, if more people were to be against bullying and all that then we could save more lives," said David Hammons from Williamsville North.

"It can't be in the dark anymore. You can't just not tell anyone or it's gonna get worse" Devin McCormick, from Williamsville North.

"I hope they feel horrible about what they did was absolutely horrible" said Adam Kalota, Jamey's Friend. Adam Kalota said he and other students plan to start a group to raise awareness about the issue of bullying and teen suicide.

Kalota said, "We're starting a foundation called, 'Paws for a Cause'. We ordered wristbands online that say, "Paws up Jamey, No H8'. We're selling them for $2 and we're donating the money to his family and a foundation for suicide."