Gay-Straight Alliances

All the best to Larry's family, I am so sorry to hear about this. I actually am a co-president of the Norristown Area High School GSA and I am planning on talking to my school supervisors and other members to see if we can hold a vigil or memorial or something. This made me cry when I heard about it. People need to learn tolerance. Again, my deepest condolences.

I must say that reading this story about Larry King deeply saddened me. I am not typically very moved by a lot of stories; it seems that our society has become accustomed to hearing these types of stories all the type that we almost become immune to them. But I really feel for Larry and his friends and family. I am gay and I know exactly what kind of torture Larry was put through. I suffered it too and it was unbearable and cruel. I felt I had no one to go to. I feel fortunate to have grown up without any major altercations. I really feel that gay-straight alliances should be established as early as in middle schools. I can remember growing up thinking there was something terribly wrong with me for being gay and wish that I had had some sort of gay-straight alliance to turn to. Teachers and parents alike should express to their growing teens that its ok to be gay and that its ok to have a gay friend. I hate to sound vengeful, but I really hope the boy who shot Larry is put away for a long, long time.

I'm also a vice-president of a GSA, though ours has been officially renamed The Alliance. Next meeting, president permitting, I hope to bring Larry up and share his story. I attended a vigil in our area on the 19th, and his story is horribly sad, but I hope to make some good out of it. Our GSA has been inactive for too long, and I hope I can use this tragedy to breathe some inspiration into our group. Perhaps I can see about organizing a group to go to our middle school to do a presentation, or hold an in-school memorial.

 

Feeling vengeful is justifed, but one has to remember that the murderer is only a kid, too. He's fourteen. He's not entirely grown into his personality. He may not be irredeamable. It would be a horrible thing if this kid's life could still be saved, and we threw him away in our anger. I know it's asking a lot - maybe too much - of those involved, but if we could just make the attempt to reach out to Brandon, it might turn out to be worth it. Then again, it's likely it wouldn't.

I guess what literally breaks my heart is that this young soul was a human being, just like the rest of us. Love is taught just like hate is. We need to teach our children at an early age to love one another irregardless of others personalities, hairstyles, clothes choices or any other thing that makes us unique.  Sometimes you can see little children (preschool) holding hands with their "buddy," and they could care less who that person is. All they know is they are their friend. What is important these days? Our outward appearance?? I should hope not. What we have and can give others on the inside is what is important.  I hope that he did realize before his life was cut so very short that there are people all over the world who would have embraced him, loved him, and accepted him. My heart goes out to all those who did just that. I am sure you will have a huge void in your life. May God bless you.