Feb 12th, 2009
Posted by Sam Ritchie, LGBT Project at 12:57pm	LGBT Rights

Stand Up for Lawrence King

One year ago today, Lawrence “Larry” King, a 15-year-old student at E.O. Green Junior High School in Oxnard, California, was shot to death in class by the boy he asked to be his Valentine. By the time he was killed, Larry had endured years of relentless teasing and bullying from his classmates, both because he was openly gay and because of his gender expression. Though his killer has not explicitly said why he murdered Larry, classmates believe it was because he himself was subjected to anti-gay harassment after his friends learned he was the object of Larry’s affections.

I was talking about Larry’s story with a friend here at the ACLU, who called it “heartbreaking.” It is. So is the story of Matthew Shepard. And Gwen Araujo. And Brandon Teena. And the countless other young LGBT people who survived the violence they endured at the hands of their neighbors and classmates — which is almost all of them. I can’t believe we’ve gotten to 2009 and nine out of ten lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students still report that they get harassed at school. But those are the facts.

I say enough is enough. If you agree with me, I’ll ask you to do two things. First, go to Remembering Lawrence, a web site created by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) to memorialize and honor Larry King. There you’ll find a list of vigils being held today across the country, as well as online “virtual” vigils. Join one of these vigils and help raise awareness that anti-LGBT bullying in our schools is truly a life-or-death issue.

Then tomorrow — and next week and next month and next year — be an ally to LGBT youth. Teach your children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and any other youth in your life that anti-gay teasing and bullying is not okay. When you hear kids using words like “faggot” or “dyke” or the phrase “that’s so gay,” tell them to knock it off.

If you are a teacher or educator or otherwise work with youth, keep an eye out for anti-LGBT harassment and, when it happens, intervene.

If you’re a parent, let your children’s school know that you expect their classrooms and hallways to be places where all students — gay and straight alike — can feel safe and respected.

And no matter who you are, join the Tell 3 campaign and have three conversations with adults close to you about the harassment LGBT youth face, how serious it is, and what it would mean to you if they also took action to end it.

Bullying and harassment of LGBT youth will only end with the support of straight allies. You can honor Lawrence King today — and everyday — by being the adult who makes sure that none of the youth in your life or community meet the same fate.

Permalink |	LGBT Rights

1. Rev Donald Says:
   Feb 13th, 2009 at 12:44am

   Matthew Shepard? How many straight children have been molested and murdered by homosexuals like you? A lot. How many Christians have been assaulted by homosexuals like you because you didn't like the way they voted? A lot. How many Christian churches have been burned down by homosexuals like you because you disagree with the Holy Bible? A lot. Matthew Shepard is in eternal hell fire now and will never get out.
   Whatever you think, you will not be able to change God's Word and will one day have to pay the price for not believing what God has written.
   Leviticus 18:22 Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.

   Leviticus 20:13 If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.

   Romans 1:22-27

   V22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, V23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

   V24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:

   V25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, Who is blessed for ever. Amen.

   V26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:

   V27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

   SAY THIS PRAYER: Dear Jesus, I am a sinner and am headed to eternal hell because of my sins. I believe you died on the cross to take away my sins and to take me to heaven. Jesus, I ask you now to come into my heart and take away my sins and give me eternal life. http://www.armyofgod.com

2. SaguaroSon Says:
   Feb 13th, 2009 at 12:02pm

   Ummm...I think, over the course of history, the number of gay people tortured and murdered by "Christians" is probably much higher than the number of Christians "assaulted by homosexuals" because of the way they voted.

3. Dana C. LaRocca Says:
   Feb 13th, 2009 at 1:18pm

   Here we are talking about one child shooting another in school.

   It is very sad that people use the name of Jesus to be hurtful. And in the context of mourning the loss of a child it is as about as far away from Christianity as a person can get.

4. roald Says:
   Feb 16th, 2009 at 9:01pm

   Rev Donald, I hope that you are able to overcome your hate some day and become a true Christian.

5. lokywoky Says:
   Feb 17th, 2009 at 2:26am

   Rev Don:

   Judge not, lest ye be judged.

   Love one another. And love thy enemies as thyself.

   If you truly are a Christian (which I doubt) you would be following the teachings of Christ. Which you are not. You so-called Christians are awfully fond of quoting the Old Testament. But Christ offered a different message. One of tolerance and yes, love.

   Why do I hear no love from you?

6. Sylvia Simmons Says:
   Feb 17th, 2009 at 11:58am

   I was sentenced the first time for "cruelty to animals,:then, the second time my probation was revoked, I spent over a month in jail, and the Gwinnett County Animal Control officers issued 13 tickets for "animal neglect." They killed one animal and caused 8 others to be deceased secondary to removing the mother cat (of 7 kittens) and leaving the 7 kittens to die without her. They also stole four have-a-heart traps that were not mine and one tiny (rat/mouse size trap) and tore down the television cable. This was all done secondary to a telehone call to them from Ray Turner (Hillgate Court). They violated my human rights and caused me to live away from (at another relative's home) my wooded property where animals (none that I personally acquire) live/ congregate because Judge Clark said I must be away from all animals (I have had animals since 1954.)

7. Curmudgeon Says:
   Feb 18th, 2009 at 12:48pm

   A lesbian acquaintance showed up for choir rehearsal one day wearing a sweatshirt bearing a wonderful message:

   "We're here. We're queer. Get used to it."

   I don't think she'd be allowed in "Rev" Don's choir.

8. Dena Browning N.C Says:
   Feb 23rd, 2009 at 10:53am

   I will not only strive very best to teach not only children, but adults as well that gay people needs to be treated fairly, but I will make sure that as a gay women(future police officer), that there are organizations out there for gay people in the state of North Carolina.

9. Dena Browning N.C Says:
   Feb 23rd, 2009 at 10:58am

   Also, I would be ashamed for the so called Rev.Donald, you are supposed to be a man of God. God loves everybody, and he does not send people into hell just because they are gay, you ignorant man. You need to learn how to love, and love everyone. Does it not say in the bible, to not judge.... Hello! I will be spending the rest of my police career protecting the good citizens from people like you...