OlderRemembering Lawrence King
CNN host Anderson Cooper just blogged about a shooting at a junior high school computer lab in California that happened two weeks ago. Consequently, as a result of a hate crime, 15-year-old Lawrence King was shot to death.
Anderson, 40, posed the question, “When does bullying become a hate crime?” Here’s his entry:
“We are focusing on a story that hasn’t received the attention it deserves. The story is about a young man named Lawrence King. He was 15 years old. On the morning of Feb 12, a classmate of Lawrence’s allegedly walked into the computer lab in front of some two dozen other students and shot Lawrence in the head. He was declared brain dead later at the hospital. According to authorities, this was not a random killing, it was a hate crime. Lawrence had recently told people he was gay, and apparently wore clothing that was viewed as effeminate. According to many accounts he had been bullied repeatedly, and some parents have even claimed students knew of threats to Lawrence’s life. At this point it doesn’t seem clear how much school officials knew of the bullying, but a full investigation needs to be done. If this had been an African-American student bullied by a teenage skinhead would it have received more attention? Would school officials have taken it more seriously if it had been a Christian campus leader attacked by another student because of his/her religious beliefs? I don’t have the answers to those questions, but I do think they are worth asking. Bullying is a problem in schools across the country. We’ve seen this time and time again. Is enough being done to stop it?”
In response to this hate crime, both Democratic presidential candidates released statements regarding this tragic event:
Said Hillary Clinton, “I was deeply saddened by the recent death of 15-year-old Lawrence King who was killed at his school in Oxnard, CA. No one should face intimidation or violence, particularly at school, because of their sexual orientation or the way they express their gender identity.We must finally enact a federal hate crimes law to ensure that gay, lesbian and transgender Americans are protected against violent, bias-motivated crimes. We must send a unified message that hate-based crime will not be tolerated.”
Barack Obama is on the same page, adding, “It was heartbreaking to learn about Lawrence King’s death, and my thoughts and prayers go out to his family. King’s senseless death is a tragic example of the corrosive effect that bigotry and fear can have in our society. It’s also an urgent reminder that we need to do more in our schools to foster tolerance and an acceptance of diversity; that we must enact a federal hate crimes law that protects all LGBT Americans; and that we must recommit ourselves to becoming active and engaged parents, citizens and neighbors, so that bias and bigotry cannot take hold in the first place. We all have a responsibility to help this nation live up to its founding promise of equality for all.”
The L.A. Times also has a write-up of last week’s memorial service for King: “At a memorial attended by more than 500 people in Port Hueneme, Lawrence “Larry” King was remembered Friday as a sensitive child who liked to draw, paint and crochet. One Christmas, he helped his mother crochet hundreds of scarves so that U.S. troops in Afghanistan wouldn’t be without a holiday gift.”
You can also visit the website that King’s family set up: RememberLarry.com.
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96 Comments
anderson is right. this act of bullying is definitely a hate crime and the media needs to pay attention.. if it had been an issue of race or gender or religion, we would be hearing about this non stop
and just to put this out there: TEAM BARACK
yeah and the fact that he was being bullyied beacuse of being gay just makes it worse! this has to stop! they are or were kids! just 15 years old!
Hearing about these hate crimes literally makes me sick to my stomach.. . I dont know how or why people can kill another human being, and just because of their race or sexual orientation. Just nauseating.
I hope his family can find some kind of comfort. Bless them
This was a big story out here in CA. I had no idea it was not a national story. It was such a horrible and senseless crime. (BTW you have Florida listed as the location in the intro.)
I cannot believe this happened. You are entitled to your own opinion but that does not give anyone the right to go about and shoot people because of their belief. Can America see the violence that is happening in schools? Bullying even in the smallest form has a great impact on how that kid grows up (that includes verbal abuse). I found that a lot of the bullied kids grow up to be socially disengaged and are more prone to depression.
“African-American student bullied by a teenage skinhead would it have received more attention?”
I agree yes this story needs more attention. But whats the point of this statement. Black hate crimes get attention because black communities and leader make them get attention. This is sad yes, but its his job to get the word out about this, why blog about this. He has a huge show that gets tons of viewers, he should make a whole program about this boy’s story.
Thanks, Britt!
This is such a sad story. I got teary eyed reading how he and his mom crocheted the scarves for the troops as holiday gifts. I think I read that the kid who did is going to be charged as a juvenile which is ridiculous considering how calculated it was.
This is not only horrible, but a wake up call to all of us. It is not enought to read the news, feel sorry and then forget about the issue– until next time. We must be consistant and should get involved. We must show SOLIDARITY and push for changes. 1+1+1+1… can make a difference.
My heart and love is sent to Larry King and his family. This kills me!! How can this be happening!!!
All I can say is my condolences go out to his family. I live in California, so I’ve heard about this story. However, I had no idea it would become [or try to become] national. I agree with Anderson Cooper. We need to show this story on how something like this could happen. These hate crimes need to be stopped.
glad that you posted this. please spread the word about incidents like these. one correction though: it was california, not florida.
I never heard a word about this story on the East Coast. It’s stories like this that really remind me of how far our Civil Rights have come and how very far we have yet to go to protect all. I understand the jist of what A.C was saying, enough is enough! I will pray for all involved tonight.
This story makes me sick to my stomach, but I’m so glad that many of our leaders are willing to stand up and speak out against such a heinous crime.
Thanks, Jared, for not letting this one go quietly.
ohhh man. shootings all the time…:(
how sad.
I live in in California also and had heard about the shooting but not this background on it, I can’t believe it, I can never understand how people can have so much hate in them and that we still live in a world where people have to live in fear of being themselves. Thanks for posting. This is so ridiculous, what are these parents teaching their kids and why are guns so easily available to them. I really hope Hillary or Obama win, mccain is such a bush #2.
I hadn’t even heard about this. This is heartbreaking and I agree with Anderson- it is a hate crime.
We have a similar story to this is florida where the kid go stabbed on the bus before it left the school. school should be a safe haven for kids not a danger zone. what can we do to make this story go public? i think it has to do with the fact that hes gay… its such a shame
how heartbreaking. :(
What I can’t understand is, if his parent/s knew that he was gay,
why couldn’t they send him to another school. They should have
protected him.
R.I.P Lawrence King.
May thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Bullying can go both ways. Either the bullied are killed, or the bulliers are killed. either way, it’s tragic and devestating and makes me hate the fact that my kid is in a public school. Two weeks ago, at our PTA meeting, it was discussed that a thrid grader was sent home for repeatedly calling another classmate a *****. The kid obviously heard it from somehwere and I don’t understand how a Bully law hasn’t been passed yet. If your 18 you can’t jump on someone underage, so why do we allow underage kids, to be able to jump on underage kids? We have to get some kind of law passed, that holds the parents responsible as well. I’v seen numerous parents encourage their kids to defend theirself and fight back. I’m not saying, they shouldn’t, I’m saying, it shouldn’t be encouraged and should be stopped, by the board of education if it’s at school and law enforcement if it isn’t.
Thank you so much for posting this JJ. Living in L.A. I’ve been reading about this story and have been sick I can’t believe this horrible crime so easily and callously took place in front of a whole school! You know and it’s important that so many people came out for the service BUT where the hell were people when this poor boy was alive? I don’t know but I truly hope he felt loved, accepted and supported by his friends because from what I understand he was bullied quite a lot. If that’s the case then he was failed by many even before he was murdered.
i read this in the l.a. times, from the time it happened to the time of services for larry. true, i never heard of this in any colorado papers, why? it is good to know that we can reach out to other cities, states and countries to read what is happening in this world, via the internet. my thoughts go out to larry king, his family and any other person who might be reading this thinking, i am the only one. you are not alone, we are everywhere. peace to all.
E.O Green Jr High School is 5 min away from my house in Oxnard, I passed by the school and there was a blanket of flowers on front of the school. My prayers are out to this 15 year old’s family and foster family.
No one deserves to die, why do humans always feel we can be the judge, jury and persecuter? Even if you disagree with whatever that person’s beliefs are, they have no right to judge. It’s not our place. Killing someone is pathetic, and that person should be punished.
*executioner (not persecuter)
Heartache
Absolutely despicable. The kid who killed him needs to be tried as an adult and locked up for the next 20 years at least. He knew damn well what he was doing when he shot that poor child.
Interesting that both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have spoken out against this crime, but no word from the other side of the aisle yet. Or maybe McCain is afraid of offending the right-wing crazies if he speaks out against gay-bashing?
NICOLE - I live in L.A. and the news stated that his family had changed him from many school because of bullying.
I don’t think anyone could expect this could happen to their child just for coming out.
How can one person loving another person of the same gender cause so much anger - enough anger to commit murder?
This just makes me sick to my stomach! I can understand not agreeing with a way of life. I cannot understand killing someone for no reason except for their sexual orientation. He was 15! He hadn’t even begun real life yet, and now his life is over and the kid who shot him will be in prison for life (hopefully).
What a waste of life. I can’t even imagine what his family and friends must be feeling right now.
Also, to the person who said it was Anderson’s job to let us know. He’s not the only newscaster in America. Responsibility falls on all of us for change, not just the “important” people. He brought up the African American and religious points to show that civil rights have come a long way….and we’ve got a long way to go.
I am not from the US and this is the first I hear about this heartbreaking story…I think it has yet to go this far where I live, but somehow I just think that, that is only a matter of time…sad! I really love Anderson Cooper and think it’s wonderful to see someone using the newsplatform for something usefull for once!
hate crimes happen everyday in america because our country is full of hate, but the crime only matters if it’s a white gay male.
it is unfortunate that this kid was killed but do not make him a martyr just teach the people around you to open their hearts to change.
this just makes me wanna cry :[
Lawrence is now in God’s loving arms. He is safe with Jesus.
Rest in Peace Sweetheart.
*********************************************************************
*********** you fcuking murderer.
Thank you so much Jared!
Seriously, if it hadn’t been for your site, I wouldn’t have stumbled upon this tragedy. It’s incredible and mindboggling to me that this isn’t a national story yet. UGH! Please continue to post relevant and timely news stories like this along with your usual entertainment news. I really appreciate it.
Sarah
Hate crime legislation is a crock of crap. Yesterday a boy was shot in the face for throwing a snoball. The man who was hit by the snoball went all the way back to his apartment, got his gun, came back and shot the kid point blank in the face.
The gay kid was killed because he way gay. The snoball kid was killed because he threw a snoball at a guy. A kid down my street was killed last month by a drive by shooting. It is IRRELEVANT what the reason why these kids were killed, they are all horrible, senseless murders, committed by MURDERERS. To say that the gay kid is more important than the other two kids, just because he was gay is a disservice to the other victims of murderers. Hate crime legislation does NOTHING except attempt to make the same type crimes committed against non-minority/special interest groups seem more important.
Are the cops going to work harder to solve a murder/assault/crime against a gay/black/latino/etc. just because it was a hate crime? No.
We need to look at bullying as what it is, it’s about power, about keeping someone else down to keep yourself up. Murdering someone in a public building at point blank range may make you feel powerful for a second, but in a bully’s long term goal, he knows he’s going to get in trouble, and the trouble for a very well witnessed murder is not worth the thrill, at least not if the kid has any level of sanity.
Maybe the poor kid who was the unfortunate victim was gay, but calling it a hate crime seems more a motive for a back alley murder than anything else. I think there had to have been a bigger motive here.
really sad! my prayers are with his family and friends!
I honestly ffel for him and his family.
There is something really wrong with your american schools—-
My heart is saddened for this and any hate crime victim and their families. I wish there was hope for this world, i’d like to think there is, but stories like this and others, make me believe their may not be.
I read about this story and could not believe it when i did a few weeks back….Heartbreaking. Thank You A.C. and Just Jared for being bold enough to bring this to America’s attention. The sad fact is , very few actually care. The world is in a sad state.
Hate? Hell, I would think that anybody that attempts to murder and/or shoots another person in the head probably “hates” that person. Any murder IS a hate crime, or else they wouldn’t murder them. At what point can you start prosecuting someone for what they were “thinking” when they commited a crime……..now that’s a scary door to open up.
Thanks for posting this JJ.
Please post more important stuff like this!!
I never heard about it until now.
Really sad.
;__;
CNN host Anderson Cooper just blogged about a shooting at a junior high school computer lab in California that happened two weeks ago. Consequently, as a result of a hate crime, 15-year-old Lawrence King was shot to death.
********************
Jared if you write the paragraph like this (as you did) it means that the teenager was shot because Anderson Cooper blogged. Please take out the word “Consequently”.
While riding the subway in Toronto the other day I wached a pack of mixed teens playfully knock up against each other before leaving the train. “You’re such a ***” one says to the other while the rest laugh.
It’s hard to believe there was much malice there but at the same time Lawrence King’s tragedy probably began with a similar begining. It all begins with language.
It’s too bad the high school in question didn’t have these sorts of character students looking after their community.
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/nova-scotia/story/2007/09/18/pink-tshirts-students.html?ref=rss
The main pic is misleading. I thought that was Larry but
it’s a classmate.
R.I.P L@RRY.
May you Rest in Peace.
Poor little darling. Makes me sick to the core.
well, some people were making bigoted comments about t.r. knight and his boyfiriend on another thread. do they not understand that whether you shoot the gun or use hateful words, it is all the same at the end of the day - it’s bigotry! god loves all people. don’t judge what you don’t understand or is different. and thanks for those comforting words barack: obama ‘08! may this child’s soul rest in peace. how sad. how tragic that we kill people for being different. how sick.
I also don’t think there is a need to ask “of it had been a black kid or a kid of another race would we pay attention to it as a hate crime”. That sort of question can be fodder for division. Blacks as hate crime victims have nothing to do with this story. They are also victims too with a history of lynchings, burnings, etc so to ask thatquestion is to possibly suggest to those who can’t understand it better that blacks are getting preferential “victim” treatment. It is just that hate crimes against blacks and against jews are more rampant so we have a language or a predecessor for it. In NYC, there were a ton of swastikas found in a temple. This happens all the time but it is not because crime against Jews is seen as more valid.
The bottom line is ALL people who are attacked for their race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation should have the right to challenge it as a hate crime. We are all equal - let’s stop pointing to our diffeences and look toward our similarities. We bleed the same way and poop the same way. We are equal. God has been trying to tell us this for millions of years and like bratty children, we refuse to listen to him/her. How sad.
Walked into a computer lab in a school and SHOT HIM IN THE HEAD?!?! Because this boy was brave enough to come out? Why are there children today who are taught or believe that this is okay? Are we so polarized and so afraid of diversity that such an extreme reaction - MURDER - to something that had NOTHING to do with the shooter is actually a viable option for some people? I am sick to my stomach. This makes me want to cry.
Parents should teach their children tolerance. The thought that someone so young thought it necessary to kill someone because they’re gay is mind boggling. I am so glad that Anderson Cooper brought this story to his show.
It is so sad that a precious life was taken because of ignorance. It is not right that this country is still in this position of intolerance. The people who can make a difference (our government) are setting this country back with their bigotry towards a group of people who don’t deserve to be hated. These people are our fathers, brothers, sisters, mothers, friends, clergy, congressman…everyone has a gay in their family whether they like it or not. It is time that this country moves towards acceptance!!!!!
hmm… @ 02/26/2008 at 3:47 am
hate crimes happen everyday in america because our country is full of hate, but the crime only matters if it’s a white gay male.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
interesting point. if we were to follow the media, we would think only blonde hasir, blue eyed pretty girls like natalie holloway and madeline get abducted. who was the last black kid to be abducted that you heard of that got national attention? so let’s not bring race into this because victims of hate crimes, of sexual violence and abduction come in all kinds. there are a lot of black gay teens suffering this same fate. they are on the street because they have nowhere to go. contact your local gay and lesbian association and help those kids out. that is better . do something! for all kids not just the ones “worthy” of cnn coverage.
The killing of anyone is wrong. Why do we need a federal law for a hate crime? Anyone being killed is illegal and wrong. If that law alone doesnt stop someone what is a law against hate crimes going to accomplish???? ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO STOP OR DETER THOSE WHO ARE ALREADY DERANGED.
I just can’t believe this. I mean look at him…look at his face…so sweet, so young, so precious, so angelic. Someone’s son. Someone’s grand-son. Someone’s brother. Someone’s friend. A beautiful life snuffed out because he was gay??? This just breaks my heart.
The picture is not Larry…this is the site set up by the family. http://www.rememberlarry.com/
It is really horrible and sad.I so sorry his family.Who are these people who kill children?!!
Everything in this story is right on. No one should go through somethingl ike this. What a fin line though. I teach my children at home, that even if you do not agree with the way someone lives their lives it does not mean they don’t count, or that thier life has less meaning. But, I don’t want my children told that they have to tolerate and accept a certain behavior that they have been told is not ok. There should be kindness and concern for everyone. The flip side though is , I don’t want the idea and thought that homosexuality is ok. It’s not. I don’t want that pressed on my children and this will open that door. Teach love, kindness, and concern to these kids, punish the ones that are abusing these kids that are different. But, don’t push the gay agenda onto my family. Tolerance is one thing full acceptance is completely another.
Not to start an argument, but April, you think that this 15-year-old boy CHOSE to be gay? Why would anyone make that decision if choosing to not be gay kept things like this horrible, senseless murder from happening? Gay agenda. That’s funny.
is it just me or does that kid kinda look like nick jonas….
Yes the person in the pic looks kinda like Nick Jonas
but it is not Larry King.
lawrence’s story made me sob in my office. it is so incredibly heartbreaking that such a young life was cut short by an act of unjustified hatred. i do not understand how somebody can hate somebody so much for something that they don’t agree with, to the point of committing murder and hurting so many lives so deeply with that act. how do they excuse their hatred of homosexuality (assumingly bc of religious beliefs?)…when they commit the most awful of sins in God’s eyes: murder of one His children?
this hatred and judgment we see in the States break my heart into pieces.
neil thanx for the link
April ur part of the reason why toterance is not respected
no one not even the presidential candidates said acceptance
“BUT EVERY HUMAN BEING HAS THE RIGHT TO CHOSE
WHO AND WHAT THEY WANT TO BE AND NO ONE BUT GOD HIMSELF CAN JUDGE “! REMEMBER THE
“GOLDEN RULE DO UN TO OTHERS AS YOU WOULD WANT TO DO UN TO YOU”! MAY GOD BLESS LARRY’S FAMILY AND GIVE THEM THE PEACE THEY SO DEEPLY DESERVE
ANDERSON COOPER…………YOU NEED TO BE THE ONE TO DO AN “EXPOSE’” ON THIS STORY.THE FLAMING BUSH GETS NOTICED FASTER THAN “THIS LIL LIGHT OF MINE’” SHINING ON SOME STOOL SOMEWHERE.
BLACK FOLK,WHITE FOLK, GAY FOLK, JEWS, SPICS, POLACKS….ON AND ON. BOYS REFERRING TO THERE GIRLFRIENDS AS “HOES”,,,,,IT’S NO WONDER PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD LOOK AT THE USA AS A VERRRRRY DANGEROUS PLACE IN THE WORLD.
WE GOTTA SMARTEN UP…..REEEEEL FAST, BECAUSE WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND EVERYTIME.!!!! WE’RE GONNA BE IN REAL TROUBLE IF WE …:WE THE PEOPLE ” DON’T GET ACTIVE AND START YELLIN OUR HEADS OFF ABOUT THIS CRAP!!! AND REALLY DEMANDING (WE HAVE THAT RIGHT AS CITIZENS TO DEMAND, YOU KNOW!!!) THAT OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS GET OFF THEIR COLLECTIVE GLUTEOS MAXIMUS (****, to those who don’t know Latin) AND START DOING THEIR JOBS…OR WE’RE GOING TO THROW THEM OUT.
WHERE IS OUR SENSE OF POWER ANYMORE??? WE GOTTA START TAKEING IT BACK, BY GOD!!!
WAKE UP!!!!!
It`s a shame and so sad.
just because he was gay.they`re is nothing wrong with it.
he was just a boy who want to bew himself.
best wishes to his family.
I am glad this story was written because it was being swept under the rug.
With that being said, i think saying “african americans getting more attention etc” perpetuates some sort of racism; instead of letting it be clear that no matter “who(race) and what(sexual orientation) gets EQUAL protection.
This happens too often in schools and it has a lot to do with parents values. This guy who shot Lawrence was so bold about it and I think that those people who new about the threats should be held as an accomplice as well as the parents or something. Just my thought.
thanks so much for posting jared
I agree with what cooper said; My god, prayers be with his family, and I have to say I agree with you Jill @ 02/26/2008 at 2:21 am
Great point, ALL AMERICANS MUST STAND UP FOR WHAT IS RIGHT. There are those who may not agree with the lifestyle, however to be silent is disgusting!!!
REPUBLICANS WE NEED YOU TO SPEAK UP!!!
ok, now the pic does not look like nick, and if it wasn’t larry king who was it?
Oh yeah by the way, i believe this story is very heartbreaking and should have never happed. Just because someone lives a lifestyle that you are uncomfortable with or think is wrong you should not kill them. I am, a Christan and i do believe homosexual acts are wrong but we should love them anyway and should not be unaccepting of them, not that we should be okay with what they’re doing but that we accept them as people, love them for who they are and not who they should be.
I don’t want to start anything here, but why does this type of thing always happen in the States? It’s really the only country (uncorrupt developed country, I should say) where this type of thing happens on a regular basis. Canada, Australia, England (all of Europe for that matter), it rarely, if ever happens.
This issue spans further than just homosexuality and frankly, Clinton and Obama’s responses were pretty weak and politically driven. Do you honestly think creating laws to punish hate crimes is going to solve the issue? It only puts a bow on the forever ticking bomb.
Thank for JJ for publicizing this story. As a mom who has a son entering the “public school system” in the Fall - it hit me like a ton of bricks. This needs to be publicized above all else so we can do something to stop it. We’re in MA and heard nothing about it. What a shame - my heart and thoughts go out to his family.
If only our candidates would actually do something about it rather than just talk…
That’s very sad. I didn’t even know this happened. Poor kid he was cute too. I hate bullies and haters who think they have the right to control and decide people’s lives just because they think they are superior and can mess with weak people.
To jenny and anyone else who feels the way they do, that is fine. When I say gay agenda I do not mean in this case. What I mean is, the face of this boy and what happened will be erased and it will be used as a platform for the gay agenda. What happened to this kid should never be tolerated. I do believe that some people are born homosexual, not making a choice. These days though…There are many, many people simply making the choice to behave a certain way. Almost as if it is a cool thing to do. Which then trivializes what true homosexual people endure and deal with. There may be many peole that go from the politicaly correct platform and try to make it all seem ok. The truth of the matter though, down deep in the core of human nature, homosexuality goes against all that is natural. You cannot procreate, or have sex in a normal manner which is the basic human nature and reason people get together. That you cannot argue or make any different. Killing or abuse of any kind cannot ever be tolerated for any reason. I won’t ever be won over to the politically correctness of accepting a behavior that does not correlate with basic human nature though.
I don’t agree with the gay lifestyle but i be damned if i think someone should be killed because of it. Only God can judge something like that no human being has the right to take another human being life. Unless its by the death penalty.
#73
And what exactly is a gay lifestyle?? Gay people don’t live their lives differently from straight people. Some may go to work, drive a car,watch tv, go to college….there is nothing uniquely gay about that.
Straight people have their idiosyncrasies and
fetishes too. The straight lifestyle isn’t any better. Whatever it is.
If you are a Christian, sex before marriage is wrong anyway.
So it’s still a sin to have your straight sex.
The bible never really condemns pedophilia and Christians
like to focus more on homosexuality rather than child sex abuse.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of this young man. I had not heard about this case, thank you to Anderson Cooper and Jared for shining the light on this horrible crime. I agree with with the Democratic candidates it is time for a hate crime law that includes all people who are victims including those persecuted because of their sexual orientation. Why are the Republicans quiet on this issue? When will people learn to teach tolerance and acceptance to their children? How many innocent people have to die?
April @ 02/26/2008 at 12:53 pm
April, your comment has a political taint to it and thus is misplaced here. No offence but it is inappropriate.
#69……… @ 02/26/2008 at 12:06 pm
I hate to disappoint you but I am Canadian and have traveled enough to know that America is not alone with its problems of hate and intolerance.
# 58 April
Are you SURE none of your kids are gay?
What are you going to do if they are huh?
methinks april is a self righteous b*tch. don’t you have perfect little family to tend to april? get off this thread c u n t.
thats terrible, i have a few friends who are bi or gay and a lot of other people at my school are, and no ones been shot there..but theres hate crimes that happen and of course the school officials are too busy dealing with their precious money to care. its horrible that he died but im not surprised it wasnt more public, news stations wont post about gays unless theyre famous which i think is stupid.
hilary really cant think that she can stop hate crimes like that? they’ll never stop, people break the law already. the school should care more about their students. i go to one of the top 250 high schools in the US, great education, most the teachers care, but anyone else on the schools staff like to make jokes about it there, theyd rather not deal with these things, they dont want to lose money, thats all its about.
They should TORTURE the shooter. Then, when found guilty, give him the DEATH PENALTY.
.
He does not deserve to live. He’s a monster.
.
He should *********** for what he did.
The shooter should _r_o_t____i_n____h_e_l_l_.
ITA Fred. That piece of human excretment should r o t i n h e l l.
Fcuking murderer.
#76, I’m not saying that hate and intolerance don’t exist everywhere else in the world because I know that they do. I’m simply wondering why things like school shootings only seem to occur in the States. Theres been 5 shootings in the US this year alone…and its only February!!
Maybe its just the shear size of the country that at least one is bound to happen? Or maybe they’re just not broadcast in other countries? I have no idea but it’s very scary the frequency these things have started to occur.
Jacinta, and Bianca, I think you must have dealt with these issues up close and personal to respond to me in such a way. I haven’t said anything that isn’t completely true. Obviously you were not able to discredit it so the best you can come up with is name calling, pitiful. As for my family if one of my children turned out to be gay, I would love that child just as much as any of my other children. That does NOT mean I would accept a lifestyle that included homosexuality. I believe that my children are not leaning that direction, as you can usually see something is off from early on. So I don’t think I will have to be faced with that certain issue. But…being the Mom of several children I will probably have issues that will come up that I will not find acceptable, and I will do my best to guide that child to the best of my ability through whatever it is. My problem is what I said would happen and from what I have read it is happening. Several groups of the gay lifestyle are starting to use this as a platform to try and further their agenda. Which is to push thier lifestyle on everyone else and make everyone accept it as if it is an ok way of life. This kid is going to be lost and his name used for others to benefit in the wrong way. Who is to say this kid was even really gay. He may have just been confused and lost, and with all the mixed messages their are these days that is highly likely. Point is this kid, someones baby, was killed for no lagitimate reason other than some other kid obviously being lost, confused, and angry.
to the editor of this website there are alot of TERRIBLE THINGS that happen to AFRICAN AMERICANS THAT ARE IGNORED EVERYDAY!
YOU ONLY HERE OF THEM MONTHS LATER BY WORD OF MOUTH OR THROUGH THE NEWS AFTER WE CONSTANTLY KNOCK ON THEIR DOORS TO LISTEN. I’M TIRED OF THE COMPARISON THAT BEING GAY AND BEING AFRICAN AMERICAN ARE THE SAME, HELLO IT’S NOT, WHEN WE WALK INTO THE ROOM YOU SEE BLACK PERSON, IF A GAY OR LESBIAN WALK INTO A ROOM YOU DON’T KNOW IT UNLESS THAT SPEAK ABOUT IT. AS FAR AS THE YOUNG MAN WHO WAS SHOT, HIS PARENTS SHOULD BE MORE ACTIVE LET THE NEWS AND ANYONE THAT WILL LISTEN KNOW WHAT HAPPEN TO THEIR CHILD EVERYDAY UNTIL SOMEONE LISTENS TO THEM, THAT IS WHAT WE AFRICAN AMERICANS HAVE TO DO…….POUND THE PAVEMENT WHEN YOU ARE TREATED UNFAIRLY.
Barack is right. This should teach parents, teachers and just about anyone who is an influence any kid out there to become more involved in these children’s lives.
#20. There are bullies everywhere, not just in public schools.
Barack is right. This should teach parents, teachers and just about anyone who is an influence to any kid out there to become more involved in these children’s lives.
#20. There are bullies everywhere, not just in public schools.
#84. I don’t think gays “push” their lifestyles on anyone. They just want to be accepted and not be treated like they’re less human because they love differently. And I don’t understand how you can say that if you had a gay kid, you would love them just as much as your other kids however you wouldn’t accept their lifestyle at the same time.
Hillary’s statement is true, we need to do something about this. This story is so sad. R.I.P Lawrence King
Hillary 08
I feel bad for BOTH families! He must have gotten it SOMEWHERE that it was OKAY to HATE GAYS, and have THAT much hate. Also where did he get the weapon? I feel bad for both families’ losses….. Especially if this young boys family thought his actions were ok. What a shame.
I keep coming back to this story, cuz it just breaks my heart…all stories like this do.
I agree with Obama and Hilary, and i hope one of them will lead our country.
As far as the shooter….He needs to be punished to the fullest extent that the law can punish a 15 year …his family should be grilled too. So many unanswered questions this story brings up and out. How did he get a gun ? Why was his hate this strong ? Why would someone’s hate cause this. It’s sick and sad.
And i agree with many other views…Taking someone’s life for ANY reason is horrible…hate crime or not.
My heart goes out to The King family and friends. God Bless You All.
The World needs Peace and Understanding.
I pray it will happen.
My personal point of view is that being gay or a lesbian etc. It’s all about love and being who we want to be. It’s about choice. Why can’t males love males and females love females. If all males loved females and that was that, wouldn’t that make the world a very one minded place, for all males to be with females, having children, or maybe not having children, and living in the way we were told they should. Who tells us these things anyway. Not everyone believes in God, I personally do, but not everyone. Everyone is unique, so why can’t they stay that way, why shouldn’t we as people, not countries, nations or races, but as people, be who we want to be, love who we want to love. This is what we all try to do. Hence why we have love and hate. Some people choose to love and unfortunately, some people choose to hate. I truly believe love conquers all though. I hate labels, why should we be labelled by colour, race, religion, sexual preference. People are missing the bigger picture. We are all human beings, we are all in the same boat in that sense, no matter what we experience in life, who we meet, what we do, how we do it, we are all human beings. Whereas I personally believe there are far more shootings in countries where guns can be brought over a counter, rather than in countries where they can’t. Crimes are committed all over the world. This is a very sad story, but at the end of the day, no one knows the full picture, and why should they, the bottom line, no matter what, is that a human being was murdered, and that isn’t acceptable. It’s not about legallising hate crime laws, hate is all over the world, but love is too. Terrible things happen every second, every minute, every hour, every day. We will never know about them all but they happen. This is just a very sad story and I feel for the victims family and friends, and for the people who saw it happen. I am not in anyway pushing this under the carpet, I think it should be a wake up call, but when I think about that, a wake up call to what. Some people will start doing something about crime, because of this, others won’t, but at the end of the day, crime is all over the world and It’s a very sad world we live in. When you truly think about it, how can we stop crime,we can’t, not all crime, we can lock people up, in some countries, execute people, but other crime will still occur, it’s sadly the way it is. I wish it wasn’t. I mean look at the history of the world, lots of war and crime happened, but a lot of other amazing things too. I don’t understand why colour, race, religion or sexual preference should come into it. As I said before, we are all human. We should be able to love who we love, whether gay or straight. Who wrote the rules, think about that. I am a religious person, but not all of us are. We all have our own belief system, not everyone is going to accept people being gay, straight, a certain colour or religion or that we come from a certain country, that is just how it is. There is no point pushing our beliefs on others, or complaining to people or swearing at others because they don’t agree with us. Sure, from a personal point of view, I thought what April said, was a bit harsh because nothing is being pushed on anyone. Everyone chooses who they want to be in life, we are maybe influenced by things, but we all have our own minds and I don’t think it’s fair to blame the way we think or feel on other people. For instance, I have seen those ‘Saw’ movies, but it doesn’t mean I am going to go out and toture people. Sadly some people will think differently to me. But again, that is my personal belief system. I just don’t feel we should be pushing our way of thinking onto April, and causing rifts on here. One of my best friends is gay, but why should I label him like that, he is just a best friend, why should it matter what his sexual preference is, just like it shouldn’t matter I am straight. We tend to label gay people as gay people, so why are we just known as people if we are straight. My best mate is just that, my best mate, and if he is gay so what, he is happy to be and he is an amazing person, so I believe he should be happy, and if being gay makes him happy so what. He is different to me with regards to he is gay and me straight, and he maybe male and me female, but he is a person, who loves, laughs, cries, grows, works, learns etc. We may not know eachother, but we are all related to one another in the sense that we are all HUMAN.
This is MY personal point of view, not everyone will agree with me, we are all entitled to our own opinion. I just don’t feel we should cause rifts because someone doesn’t agree with us. But again people feel they should do so and start swearing at others. See. Nothing we can do about the way people think. Its the way life is. No law will stop that.
R.I.P Larry, hope you’re in a better place now ***
At the end of the day, the bottom line here is that someone was murdered. May he rest in peace.
I also feel that it’s not about getting a hate crime law it is about making the purchase of guns illegal. There are far less shootings in countries where the purchase of guns is illegal. However saying this, there are also vicious crimes in those same countries. Therefore, crime is all around us, simply because, people choose to committ it, for whatever reason, it’s a choice that people make, and no law can stop a person from thinking how they want to think, doing something they want to do and feeling something they want to feel.
I want to start off by saying that a lot of people claim to be a Christian, but don’t see anything wrong with homosexuality. God sees something wrong with it. Why shouldn’t every person that claims to be a Christian see something wrong with it? Aren’t Christians suppose to see the same thing that God sees?
God also sees something wrong Bestiality (sex between human and animal) and incest (sex between kinfolks).
How many people who claims to be a Christian, who believes that there is nothing wrong with homosexuality, believe the same way about bestiality and incest?
Many homosexual will tell you that they born that way. Guess, who else are claiming the same thing. Pedophiles! Which group of people are lying and why? Lets not forget that there are many homosexual pedophiles in this world.
No one is born a homosexual. According to God’s truth, everyone is born a heterosexual. God created woman for man. I am not trying to be nasty, so please don’t take this the wrong way, but there is a reason why God created male with a certain sex organ and female with a certain sex organ. If God wanted two males to be together and two females to be together, he would have created their sex organs to fit.
Now, what happen to Lawrence is sad and wrong and yes, the young boy that killed him should go to jail. He committed murder. Now, is the crime a hate crime? Many people believe it is. Then again, it doesn’t mean it is.
According to what Ellen Degeneres discussed on her show about Lawrence. Lawrence asked his killer to be his valentine. I found that to be disrespectful and especially, if Lawrence knew that the guy was straight.
Many homosexuals are bold to come on to straight people. A lesbian came on to one of my cousins. But, my cousin put her in her place in a nice way.
Lawrence’s killer should have told a teacher that Lawrence asked him to be his valentine, instead of killing Lawrence.
#94: While I’m sure Christians would appreciate your point of view, not everyone is a Christian, myself included, and thus don’t agree or appreciate your point of view. I believe homosexuals are born that way, the same as I believe pedophiles are born that way. Theres lots of research to indicate differences of brain structure and chemical imbalances in homosexual people. The same for pedophiles. However, there is a main difference between homosexuality and pedophilia in that pedophiles are clearly harming another person. So I don’t think its right of you to compare homosexuals and pedophiles.
I also don’t see the big deal with Lawrence asking the other kid to be his valentine. Yes, it probably made the other kid feel very awkward as he’s not gay and thus Lawrence probably shouldn’t have done it if he knew the other kid wasn’t gay. But being asked out by someone your not attracted to isn’t new. It happened to me last night in the bar which made me feel awkward but it doesn’t mean I’m going to be mad and make a scene. I don’t see how this situation is any different, really. Just because some people are uncomfortable with homosexuality, doesn’t make it wrong.
Everyone should watch this video of what Ellen had to say on her show. She makes really good points, not just in reference to being gay but to our society in general. It applies to so many things.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=kyvZIz6dRvM
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