It has been twenty years since I was in school. Hard to believe that so much time has gone by. So much has changed and so much remains the same. I wonder when we will ever learn as a society to be patient, understanding and sensitive to people being different from ourselves.

I was bullied in school for being gay. I have been beat up and have had beer bottles thrown at me, just for being me. The word fagot was yelled at me while I walked across the stage of ORR to accept my high school diploma. That is what I remember of that day. That moment is still with me like many others that have been defining moments as I grew into the man that I am today. When I came out at 21, I vowed never to be bullied or ashamed of who I was. To stand up and to call out those who chose attack. I have never felt more me.

It breaks my heart and brings me to tears to think that kids today, twenty years later are being bullied, harassed and taking their own lives out of shame that is cast upon them by those who are ignorant and choose hate as a first line of defence. This for just being who they have been from birth, for choosing to love one of the same sex? This is crazy and shocking to think twenty years later that some gay little boy or girl might be thinking of killing themselves. I say to those same gay kids that we are here in your community, to help and defend YOU. You have choices and there are always bright lights at the end of a tunnel. If I can do anything, and I mean anything for anyone who might be reading this, let me help you.

Instead stand up, be proud, reach out for help, tap dance a little if you want to. Be you, we love you for being just you. Know that there is a support system out there in your community to help you.

My heartfelt and tearful condolences to the families that have lost their children as a result of this vicious harassment.