THERE is nothing Christian or loving in this families response to their son's coming out. How sad for all of them involved.
Aug 28, 2014 at 04:59 PM EDT
WATCH: 'Christian' Family's Terrifying Response to Son Coming Out
August 28 2014 11:33 AM ET UPDATED: August 28 2014 6:20 PM ET
A 19-year-old gay man is safe and staying with a family
friend in Atlanta, Georgia, after suffering physical and verbal abuse at
the hands of his stepmother, father, and grandparents when he told them
he was gay.
Daniel Pierce filmed his family's reaction to his
confirmation that he was gay in chilling first-hand look at the violence
and rejection that can result when parents don't accept their child's
sexual orientation.
The video,
which Pierce captured on his cell phone and a coworker uploaded, has
been viewed nearly 800,000 times on YouTube at press time, since it was
published Wednesday evening. Pierce's boyfriend set up a GoFundMe account
to help his partner cover living expenses, as the family made good on
its threat to cut the teenager off financially, even taking his car. At
press time, the GoFundMe page has raised more than $20,000.
Pierce's aunt, Teri Cooper, confirmed the video's authenticity to The Advocate,
explaining that she picked Daniel up on Wednesday after responding to a
frantic text alerting her that his family was trying to stage an
"intervention" to "pray away the gay." Cooper says when she arrived at
the home, the family wouldn't let her inside, but Pierce emerged with a
split lip. Cooper says that wound came from his stepmother, who punched
him in the mouth during the altercation that can be overheard in the
video.
Cooper also confirmed that Pierce is now staying with her
and supportive friends in Atlanta, where he is safe, though still shaken
by the week's events and the surrounding publicity from his assault
quickly going viral. Cooper explained that Pierce had just started
classes last week at Georgia Highlands College, where he plans to major
in psychology.
In the opening moments of the video, Pierce's grandmother
can be heard telling the young man that she has known since he was a
small child that he was gay. Nevertheless, the woman tells her grandson
that she believes he has made a choice to be gay, that it is "a path [he
has] chosen". When he tries to refute her claims by pointing to
"scientific proof" that sexual orientation is innate, she says she
believes in "the word of God," not so-called science.
Cooper says that despite their reliance on scripture in
rejecting one of their own, Pierce's family is not especially religious,
and does not regularly attend church services.
Shortly thereafter, the situation escalates, as Pierce's
father tells him he is a disgrace and calls him a "queer," while his
stepmother screams at the teenager and begins to hit him.
While stories of parents accepting and affirming their
LGBT children are becoming more common, this clip provides a stark
reminder that many LGBT youth still face emotional, physical, and
spiritual violence in their families of origin. Familial rejection is
one of the leading causes of the high number of LGBT youth who are
homeless — estimates have found that as many as 40 percent of homeless youth are LGBT-identified.
Aug 28, 2014 at 04:59 PM EDT
Fundamentalist Christian "love" on display when gay son comes out
Trigger Warning: The video below contains severe verbal and physical abuse.
I'm still shaking with anger and revulsion after watching this video recorded by a young man who has come out to his clearly Fundamentalist Christian Family. The young man's (note) stepmother, after telling her stepson that she has known since he was a child that he was gay, chides him for making the "choice" to become gay. The unidentified man assures her that this is not the case while she begins citing biblical teaching to prove that he is wrong.
After telling him that he has to leave his home, things escalate as another woman begins to berate him in earnest, screaming obscenities at him before physically attacking him as the young man screams in fear and shock. As the video concludes, the father weighs in raving mad, calling him a disgrace. Watch this video only if you have a strong constitution.
http://youtu.be/1df_i26wh-w
This video illustrates very clearly the danger that people and organizations that preach anti-gay bigotry pose to our community. Our streets often become home for children who come out in a family such as the one we see in this video. The Williams Institute estimates that 40% of children who end up homeless are LGBT. Further, The Trevor Project reports that LGBT youth are 4 times more likely than the general population to attempt suicide and that suicide is the "2nd leading cause of death among young people ages 10 to 24." Given the brutality of this five minute clip, it is easy to understand these statistics.
Dan Savage has reached out to try to find this young man to offer aid.
UPDATE: With many thanks to fellow kos member, sabathiel, the young man has stepped forward. His name is Daniel and you can donate here.
I'm still shaking with anger and revulsion after watching this video recorded by a young man who has come out to his clearly Fundamentalist Christian Family. The young man's (note) stepmother, after telling her stepson that she has known since he was a child that he was gay, chides him for making the "choice" to become gay. The unidentified man assures her that this is not the case while she begins citing biblical teaching to prove that he is wrong.
After telling him that he has to leave his home, things escalate as another woman begins to berate him in earnest, screaming obscenities at him before physically attacking him as the young man screams in fear and shock. As the video concludes, the father weighs in raving mad, calling him a disgrace. Watch this video only if you have a strong constitution.
This video illustrates very clearly the danger that people and organizations that preach anti-gay bigotry pose to our community. Our streets often become home for children who come out in a family such as the one we see in this video. The Williams Institute estimates that 40% of children who end up homeless are LGBT. Further, The Trevor Project reports that LGBT youth are 4 times more likely than the general population to attempt suicide and that suicide is the "2nd leading cause of death among young people ages 10 to 24." Given the brutality of this five minute clip, it is easy to understand these statistics.
Dan Savage has reached out to try to find this young man to offer aid.
That was hard to listen to. My heart breaks for that poor, brave, tough kid. What the fuck is wrong with these people? We could have a fundraiser up and running for this poor kid by morning—if we knew who he was and where he was.I hope he finds Dan's message and gets in touch with him. If you or someone you know find themselves in a similar situation, know that there are resources available. The National Runaway Switchboard at 1-800-RUNAWAY as well as The Ali Forney Center are two excellent organizations who stand by ready to help. No child should find themselves homeless or have to live in an abusive situation simply for being who they are.
UPDATE: With many thanks to fellow kos member, sabathiel, the young man has stepped forward. His name is Daniel and you can donate here.
Oh My you guys! I am in tears! I didn't realize that this was even set up for me! I am so thankful for all the comments, support and donations! I don't even know how to thank y'all! I wish I could give each and everyone of you a huge hug! I was trying to respond to everyone but I couldn't keep up!! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! This is all just so amazing!!! Thank You from the bottom of my heart!!UPDATE 2: With gratitude to cooper888, here is a link to more of Daniel's story. (note) Updated to reflect accuracy
Daniel
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