Coming out isn’t what it used to be! Except when it is, sometimes.
After Ryan Eichenauer came out on Facebook as mostly-gay in December, threats and harassment started popping up at school.
“No one likes the fact that you are alive. No one likes the way you show your sexuality,” said one note. “I protect the house of god from fags like you. … Fucking kill yourself already.”
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
To their credit, Centennial High School in Circle Pines, Minnesota is on the case. They launched an investigation and are working with the police to track down the source of the note, which someone left on Ryan’s desk.
Of course, in recent memory a couple of incidents like this have turned out to be false. Ryan’s addressed those who suspect him of fabricating the notes, writing on Facebook, “I’ve gotten much criticism and people claiming that ‘things don’t add up’ and they really don’t. I wish they did, then I could have some form of answer for you all. Other people claim that I wrote this myself and that is NOT true. Most human beings like attention, its a basic human craving, but right now I hate it.”
He’s indicated that he’d like some privacy, which is a fair request. High school’s lousy enough without having to deal with this unpleasant mystery. We’ll be sending supportive thoughts his way, and hope that whoever wrote the note is able to get the help that they clearly need.
Dakotahgeo
As an ordained Christian minister, it sickens me to read these vile reports from so-called “christians’ because they do not espouse the real Christian love and support we SHOULD be giving Ryan. The American christian Taliban is the root cause of the pain and hurt of our GLBTQI brothers and sisters, not to mention the bastardized misinterpretations they claim the Bible speaks of. It does get better, Ryan! You were given a marvelous sexual orientation and a goal and purpose in life when you were born. Don’t be swayed from that which God has ordained for you, because of some misplaced belief systems of ignorant, uneducated people. God loves you, always and so do I! AND millions of others. Blessings, Peace, Joy be yours!
George M Melby, M.Div. Pastor/Chaplain
that_dude247
Cute kid. Things will get better.
stranded
really, with that coming out video? lmao.
that_dude247
@stranded: I thought the same thing, but was being nice lol
jimbryant
The point about having homosexual feelings is that it is not encouraged within the family environment in which you grow up. Your mother doesn’t want you to be gay. Your father doesn’t want you to be gay. Your peers don’t want you be gay. It’s a very gay-phobic environment.
I also applaud the guy for rejecting the expression “coming out”. I feel it’s a misleading expression that simply feeds into a stereotype that has nothing to do with the actually words which make up the expression.
Coming out is often code for “I want to be able to have sex with as many men as possible within as short a period of time as possible, and nobody is going to stop me”.
jimbryant
The key thing for this guy in the video is that he appears to have his head screwed on the right way. So long as he stays that way, he can navigate his way through life and avoid the pitfalls that life presents, including the pitfalls presented by the gay scene.
LubbockGayMale
@jimbryant: “Coming Out” means different things to different folks, Jim. Are you sure you’re not just projecting your wish for lots of sex yourself? I agree, there needs to be a better term for publicly announcing your sexuality, but for now ‘coming out’ is common usage and generally understood.
balehead
Just more “Media Ho Training”…He came out on the internet…Where’s the surprise about the reactions….
dendenden
@Dakotahgeo: These aren’t christians, they’re sociopaths who believe that their religion gives them a free hand to persecute
tardis
This kid is inspiring.
In other news, anyone see that rainbow Olympic doodle? Awesome.
RomanHans
Queerty, you need to do something about the idiots commenting here.It’s impossible to have a constructive discussion with, in this case, two people who appear to have serious mental problems.
fedupwith.hate
@LubbockGayMale, STFU, you just wish you had been so eloquent when you announced your intention to screw every male in sight like the rest of us. If he keeps his current mental attitude then our lifestyle will blossom in front of him is the most beautiful way. Hopefully he can bypass all the shit we went through. Peace, Love and Joy to you Ryan
fedupwith.hate
Apologies @ LubbockGayMale my last comment should have been aimed at jimbryant for being the cynic.
kinseyfiles
@RomanHans: Exactly!
robirob
What a brave kid.
DShucking
I just got in an argument with a straight person the other day because he said gay people spend too much time whining about being accepted. “It’s 2014! Who doesn’t accept you? Everyone in the world except WBC accepts you!”
I sent him an article similar to this one.
Billysees
Read this —- same high school.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/06/noah-ratgen-gay-teen-vandalism-_n_4740520.html?utm_hp_ref=gay-voices
Billysees
From previous post — same “school district” I meant to say.
Billysees
@Dakotahgeo:
Excellent comment Pastor Melby.
Here’s another sickening example of what you spoke of —
http://www.believeoutloud.com/latest/shamed-how-spiritual-abuse-contributed-my-sons-death
That article is so sad to read.
Here’s a few of the messages that should be coming from the pulpits because they are what’s “important” from the Bible —
1. Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way……Romans 14:13
2. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God……Romans 15:7
3. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love……Ephesians 4:2
4. Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble….1 Peter 3:8
5. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves…..Philippians 2:3
6. Be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone……Titus 3:2
7. Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven…Luke 6:37
8. Above all, LOVE EACH OTHER DEEPLY, because love covers over a multitude of sins……1 Peter 4:8
9. Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near…..Philippians 4:5
Those verses would help the spread of “loving attitudes” and that would benefit everyone especially all LGBT’s.
Dakotahgeo
@Billysees: YOU… are spot on the mark! Thanks for making my day. I observed and read your Link re: Noah Ratgen and made numerous comments. Does it surprise you that this is Michele Bachmann’s MN District? Sho’ nuff! I lived in Mpls./St. Paul area from ’66 to ’74 and it is a beautiful city. However, the Twin Cities have nothing in common with the conservative Northland. Heaven vs. Hell. It wasn’t always like that. Again, my thanks!
Dakotahgeo
@dendenden: Absolutely right. I classify two types of Christians: “christians” and Christians.” There is a world of difference between the two. Christian follow, and to the best of their ability, and do the teachings of Christ, i.e. walking the talk! The American christian Taliban SOUND good, but that’s as far as their deeds carry them… rather sad, yes?
Dakotahgeo
@Billysees: Thanks for the info. I followed up on the BelieveOutLoud and am now a member. Blessings, peace, and joy, Pastor Dak!
Billysees
@Dakotahgeo:
Pastor Dak,
I read about that district being Bachmann’s. Interesting that there’s a conservative Northland……Heaven vs. Hell….that’s unfortunate. I’m sure that in time that’ll change back.
BelieveOutLoud has some interesting articles and views to express.
Dakotahgeo
@Billysees: Yes, I’m surprised I hadn’t heard of BelieveOutLoud before, as a good Bi friend of mine is a member and she also e-mailed me. I’m sure you know that MN is light years ahead of 1966-74 by now. We didn’t even have the term “Marriage Equality” back then and Loring Park was a haunt for gay people and, unfortunately, for the vice squad, lolol. Yes the Twin Cities have changed tremendously over the last 40 years. Hopefully we can touch base on BOL! Blessings!
Billysees
@Dakotahgeo:
Sorry for this long delay in responding.
Pastor Dak,
I receive emails from BOL regularly and appreciate their contributor’s testimonies. The last one that I pointed out to you was an eye opener for me in that it revealed how the lack of empathy towards LGBT’s can have terrible consequences.
I remember those years 1966-74, as the gay scene really opened up here in Baltimore in 1972 with the opening of The Hippo and later other great bars —
http://baltimore.gaycities.com/bars/
I have so many fond memories of the gay bar scene as Baltimore is a very liberal city and very gay friendly too. And there was also our “Wyman Park”, similar to your Loring Park. The police were always very tolerant with us gays. They knew what was going on down there and just politely looked the other way. And we could also pick up neighborhood boys looking to earn a few bucks…..hehehe.
Cheer…