On a more encouraging note... I received this email today from a gay high school student in Pennsylvania who stood up to his bully. With his permission, he is allowing me to share it with you. I found it to be very inspiring, I hope you do too.
You're one of my heroes.
I constantly get called a faggot at school; this is nothing new. When I was in elementary school, everyone called me a girl, so faggot is essentially the grown up way to make me feel even more worthless. However, the other day at school something inside me changed.
As I walked into the cafeteria, the first table dropped the fag bomb on me. I waked by gracefully and gave them the finger. They laughed and continued to tell me they liked my purse. (I carry a messenger bag.)
I went to my table on the other end of the cafeteria and set my stuff down. I had left something in the auditorium from when I had given a speech, and I wanted to make sure I got it, so I made my way back to where I came from.
I had to pass the table again, but I wasn't going to let names slide this time. When I walked past them and they gave me nasty looks and shot their words that felt like darts at me, I pointed at the ring leader and firmly said, "Enough."
The boy I pointed at proceeded to say, "I didn't say anything to you you fucking faggot."
That's when I said to myself, enough is enough. I stood in the front of the cafeteria and shouted for everyones attention. The room became quiet. "I have an announcement," I stated firmly, "I'm gay, so now that that's been established, we can move on. Thank you."
As I turned, to walk out of the cafeteria my pupils erupted in cheers and applause. When I came back in, I was greeted like a celebrity. People shook my hand and gave me hugs. People I didn't even know.
I just wanted to tell you because you're one of the people who inspires me to keep going.
Have a great day.
Adam
You're one of my heroes.
I constantly get called a faggot at school; this is nothing new. When I was in elementary school, everyone called me a girl, so faggot is essentially the grown up way to make me feel even more worthless. However, the other day at school something inside me changed.
As I walked into the cafeteria, the first table dropped the fag bomb on me. I waked by gracefully and gave them the finger. They laughed and continued to tell me they liked my purse. (I carry a messenger bag.)
I went to my table on the other end of the cafeteria and set my stuff down. I had left something in the auditorium from when I had given a speech, and I wanted to make sure I got it, so I made my way back to where I came from.
I had to pass the table again, but I wasn't going to let names slide this time. When I walked past them and they gave me nasty looks and shot their words that felt like darts at me, I pointed at the ring leader and firmly said, "Enough."
The boy I pointed at proceeded to say, "I didn't say anything to you you fucking faggot."
That's when I said to myself, enough is enough. I stood in the front of the cafeteria and shouted for everyones attention. The room became quiet. "I have an announcement," I stated firmly, "I'm gay, so now that that's been established, we can move on. Thank you."
As I turned, to walk out of the cafeteria my pupils erupted in cheers and applause. When I came back in, I was greeted like a celebrity. People shook my hand and gave me hugs. People I didn't even know.
I just wanted to tell you because you're one of the people who inspires me to keep going.
Have a great day.
Adam
That's so awesome. I wish I were as brave..!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. thank you for sharing this - both of you.
ReplyDelete