The story of Larry is in so many ways similar to that of gay friends I know. It's just luck I guess they didn't live in a violence drenched environment.

 

It just goes to show that at least at Junior Highs all of us (teachers, parents, children/students, and basically the whole society)  need to enable and promote open discussion about ALL issues our kids struggle with at those ages.

 

After all, all violence is in fact fear.

 

And fear only goes away with knowledge.

 

Girls 'know' other things than boys, who 'know' other things than gay and lesbian kids do. When we can get social, relational, gender, sexual and intimicy topics talked about and put into perspective (yes, the whole Venus and Mars thing) we will be able to have sensible teenagers who know how to deal with themselves and eachother without resorting to hate-talk or violence.

 

More thoughts to follow.

Please comment!