Above is a picture of Dariel Pulliam my client and Best Friend who was of the LGBT community, I love him dearly and he will never be replaced. He was a awesome hair and make-up stylist to the stars, and so genuine at heart rest in peace poodie until we meet again. Dariel Pulliam definitely "Walked in His own Shoes."
Anti Gay bullying has become an epidemic in todays society amongst the LGBT community. However, overall bullying in school has became just as bad, because another kid may be different. Although, some kids maybe gay some may not be but only perceived as Gay. Dealing with this kind of abuse from your peers at an early age of 13-17 can be very devastating. I'm very inspired by Joel Burns sitting in front of the city council discussing the abuse of bullying and the effect it is having on teens. As Joel spoke he went along a list of names that actually killed themselves because they were teased in school. Asher Brown took his father gun and shot himself he was 13, Billy Lucas was perceived as gay and then hung himself he was 15, Justin Aaberg, Seth Walsh 13 years old hung himself and the list goes on. Teen suicide is raging in schools because children are being bullied, teased, pushed, shoved and embarrassed.
I have many friends and family members that are gay and they are the sweetest people to ever know. I don't see them as different I just see that their sexual preference is different. There are many things as friends we may not like the same of, for instance we may not like the same soda, or candy but we are still friends. Im so inspired by Joel telling his personal experience as well, that when he was younger he was teased and called gay because he was a little more sensitive than his peers. Telling your personal story allows you to help others get through when they see someone their able to relate too. It is very hard telling your personal business, but when teens are killing themselves and you have their same story it is time to speak out. Joel admonished the teens to get services and encourages them by saying " Give yourself a chance to see that life gets better." Even in the midst of Joel pain he is still able to encourage others because he can see the need for help. he goes along to say "If you feel alone things will get better, please stick around, please live long enough to be there to see it, things will change." Joel was also young teen Gay but he surpassed the temptation of suicide and he is speaking out to let that gay young teen know, if he made it through they will also. I titled this blog post "Walking in My Own Shoes" because everyone has their own set of problems, some may be the same but we all have to walk in our own destiny, the main key is to survive.
Posted by Sparkle Callahan
Reference:
Title: Joel Burns Tells Gay Teens "It Gets Better"
http://www.ted.com/talks/joel_burns_tells_gay_teens_it_gets_better.html
