Young, Gay and Murdered

Clenchedcheeks:

You have the nerve to say things like that and consider yourself one of the "decent people"? You're scum.

Clenchedcheeks:

You say crap like that and you consider yourself one of the "decent people?" You're scum and part of the problem.

I think that all people are the same, whether you are gay or not. I think that everyone should be able to accept gay people as what others consider "normal". Larry is as normal as any other juniior high kid. People are just so judgemental and just because someone is gay or "queer" doesnt mean they are any different from others. I support Larry's life choices and think that he was as normal as anyone else. He is an inspiration to all thoes who chose to live their lives and be gay. it is just a sexuality and their CHOICE. Everyone makes their own decisions, Rest In Paradise Larry. You are an inspiration and I am sure that you as well as all others who are gay, would be proud to say that they are.

I see Newsweek has done a thorough background check on the *victim* of this crime, but couldn't be bothered to include more than a sentence or two about the murderer. Nice going.

Astonishing...at no point does this article address the central issue of what society -- parents, educators, police and legislators -- can and should do to protect gay children coming to terms with their sexuality. Nor does it address another the important issue of violent homophobia among teens, and where they develop such rage. Instead, it suggests that "tweens" (god, how I hate that word) aren't developed enough to really know if they're gay, that this kid's sexuality was probably just another one of his acting-out behaviors, and more than suggests that he at least partly brought his murder upon himself. It's written as if the best course this child -- and the educators who knew him -- could and should have taken was to hide his identity as much as possible in order to keep him "safe." Just an astonishingly simplistic take on an issue of huge importance.

Astonishing...at no point does this article address the central issue of what society -- parents, educators, police and legislators -- can and should do to protect gay children coming to terms with their sexuality. Nor does it address another the important issue of violent homophobia among teens, and where they develop such rage. Instead, it suggests that "tweens" (god, how I hate that word) aren't developed enough to really know if they're gay, that this kid's sexuality was probably just another one of his acting-out behaviors, and more than suggests that he at least partly brought his murder upon himself. It's written as if the best course this child -- and the educators who knew him -- could and should have taken was to hide his identity as much as possible in order to keep him "safe." Just an astonishingly simplistic take on an issue of huge importance.

After reading the story; it seems to me that the school could have taken alternative administrative actions. I don???t feel that the school is to blame for letting Larry express himself; however, I do feel the school is to blame for not taking action against Larry for harassing Brandon. Even as a gay male myself; I was suspended from school when a fellow classmate told school officials that I had made a ???sexually suggestive??? remark towards him. I truly believe that some sort of interjectory action could have perhaps vindicated Brandon and provided a cool down period ???possibly avoiding the murder. Further, someone should have advised Larry that although it is his right to express himself; there are serious risks. Hein sight is 2020. Either way, it is very unfortunate that Larry lost his life. Murder is never the answer.

After reading the story; it seems to me that the school could have taken alternative administrative actions. I don???t feel that the school is to blame for letting Larry express himself; however, I do feel the school is to blame for not taking action against Larry for harassing Brandon. Even as a gay male myself; I was suspended from school when a fellow classmate told school officials that I had made a ???sexually suggestive??? remark towards him. I truly believe that some sort of interjectory action could have perhaps vindicated Brandon and provided a cool down period ???possibly avoiding the murder. Further, someone should have advised Larry that although it is his right to express himself; there are serious risks. Hein sight is 2020. Either way, it is very unfortunate that Larry lost his life. Murder is never the answer.

Leapfrog - maybe Larry was harrassing Brandon. That does NOT justify murder, no matter what. Would you condone a fat kid who "snapped" and kills a tormentor? I'm not defending Larry and I am not defending Brandon either. There is more to this story than anyone knows, I'll give you that. You're right - bullying needs to end - on both sides of any issue. But murder is not the answer for anything and there is NEVER EVER a justification for it. Period.

Comment: I feel sorry for both young boys. Taking the life of another only solves the problem for a short time...but then another problem arrises. Brandon in the long term will have to carry this guilt the rest of his life whether he's in prison or walking the streets a free man. Brandon was a coward!!...shooting a young boy in the back of the head, not once but twice and then running home.
From what I have read, the school tried everything within the law. Is the ACLU at fault?? They are the ones who are always present and speaking up regarding expression of self regardless of what is right or wrong..
Are parents at Fault?..Parents don't mind having children regardless if they can't afford them. Do parents think of how they are going to raise and teach them right from wrong?
Young kids go through a lot of growing up periods and it is hard to understand their own feelings. Where are the parents to help them work through all these feelings. Are teachers responsible for also raising the kids.
No!!!!!!!They don't have the money to get sullkies for teaching the child. 25% of kids will not graduate from high school and will become a burdon on society.
Get with the program kids and young adults!!!!!!! Start taking responsibility for your own actions in life and stop looking for others to carry you on their shoulders.

As a mother of 2 teenage boys myself, the parents are the ones that need to look at themselves. At 15 years old, the parents are the providers. Who bought him girls clothes, shoes, etc. The parents needed to step in long before to seek therapy. Not saying that it would have changed him, but to wear girl's clothes at sucha young age, that didn't need to happen. Parents should be parents and take control and responsibility. Being gay and dressing like someone of the opposite sex are two totally different subjects.

As a mother of 2 teenage boys myself, the parents are the ones that need to look at themselves. At 15 years old, the parents are the providers. Who bought him girls clothes, shoes, etc. The parents needed to step in long before to seek therapy. Not saying that it would have changed him, but to wear girl's clothes at sucha young age, that didn't need to happen. Parents should be parents and take control and responsibility. Being gay and dressing like someone of the opposite sex are two totally different subjects.

Comment: I have to agree with LeapFrog18. The main issue I see here is tolerance. We are in the 21st Century and have overcome so much in our history, except for the fact that we do not accept what is different. . NO, I am not saying one has to embrace homosexuality, a different religion, or that which you do not understand. I saying what we need is to teach tolerance and acceptance. We need to quit making it an issue of gay, white, black, fat, skinny, or ugly. I was a fat kid and still am a heavy adult. I see people look at me in disgust. I was taught tolerance. I am not going to maim or kill someone over this. I also feel Brandon should not be charged as an adult and first degree murder. Harrassment in any format is not acceptable. As parents, educators, and leaders we need to put a stop to some of this so called political correctness and /or saying children should be allowed to express themselves, no matter what, so we do not wreck havic on their self-estem. or they cannot be competive because they all have to be winners, etc.. If we cannot as adults act in manner that show respect for others, how can you except our children to behave any different. Each of these children has issued beyoud what they should have to handle as young people. But if they were failed in any way it was by the adults who refused to be adults. My heart goes out to both families. This is just another sad outcome of our failures as parents, leaders, educators, and society who want to blame anything and everything on someone or something else. While I am not a real religious person "You reap
what you Sow" comes to mind as I continue to read stories like this one. Soooooooo sad.

Obviously the parents are completely ignoring the fact that they had total control over the way their kid dressed and acted when he went to school. I blame the family 100% for their kid's death. Stand up and take responsibility for your total lack of parenting skills.

I am angry that the parents of this murdered teen is now trying to sue the school system for not "enforcing" their dress code! When are parents going to start parenting and stop expecting the school system to teach their children everything from sex, to teaching them how to dress. Personally, I feel much more parenting INCLUDING TOLERENCE needs to be taught at home, not school. The parents of Brandon says the school knew that he had a "unique" and special situation and should have stopped him from wearing make-up and feminine clothing. I'm sure that when he walked out the door to school, the parents saw what he was wearing and did nothing. I'm not saying they should have stopped him, if they didn't want to violate his freedom of expression, but then don't expect the school to do your dirty work. They are trying to profit off of their child's death at the expense of other innocent school children in the district. I know how it feels to lose a child, my child passed away from cancer, I'm not suing to M.D. for not curing it. If they want to sue someone, they should sue the family of the child that shot him.

It doesant matter gay stright black white .the fact is brandon shot and killed larry and did it the cowareds way from behind him could not even face a boy so small so in the eyes of the law he is guilty, and should pay for what he has done.

This is extremly diffucult to understand when your a Kid! But for us the adults it should not be too hard. Our son is "out" he started out as most boys chasing girls but told us later he always wasattracted to boys. We can not fathom how hard the other kids , who have learned to be biased must make it to feel "normal" in school. Our society makes Gay Not a good thing to be. Nor is being smart or nerdy or quiet or artsy, Funny not much is heard from the other kids parents. The gun is a BIG overreaction. but it seems thats what our kids have learned from TV, Movies and Music Vids. No tolerance

first of all, the boy said he identified as gay and he probably did, likely because he is not aware of transgender issues. The fact is, he was transgender. About one fourth of the things I read like this the victim is described as being gay. 60 minutes ran a story of a 5 year old named Zach who painted his nails and decorated his room in disney princess. He was called a "future gay". He, also is transgender. People really need to be made aware of this issue, because it HAS to be dealt with. We need to teach kids earlier aboout this stuff so that they dont feel it necessary to shoot a trans kid. I do agree however, that it is not right for the parents to sue the school. They should sue the family of the boy who shot him. Transgerism is a fact of life and it affects roughly 1 out of every 500 males born in this country. Look it up. With the progression of gay equality, more and more kids are going to come out. It cannot be stopped. We need more knowledge of these issues and we need to be able to diagnose between homosexuality and transgender issues. Gay men as a rule do not feel the need to dress as females. They are MALES who are attracted to MALES.