At La Casa in East L.A., youth meet for weekly support groups, where they share stories and discuss issues affecting their lives. A few agreed to contribute their thoughts to LA Youth about the murder of Matthew Shepard, a gay college student who was brutally killed in Wyoming in November 1998. The result was stories and reflections about gay bashing, coming out and coming to terms with one’s self and sexuality.
“Matthew Shepard’s murder really scared me, and it made me think about my future. [My main worry is] that I might end up dead just for being gay. I want other people to understand that [being gay] is a normal thing, we are all different, but in God’s eyes we are the same.”
Fernando Nunez, 17, Salesian HS
“Yes, I have been harassed [for being gay.] It is wrong and it must end soon. [My hope is] to get married to a man and have a family. I would like parents to educate their children on gay lifestyles. Parents should teach their children about gay couples and that it is not wrong, it is only different. I worry about being alone when I’m 25 and not married. I worry about HIV, other STDs. But most of all I worry, will I go to heaven due to my sexuality? [I want other people to understand] that we are different. We are not ‘clowns’ or pariahs. We are people that have probably more feelings than most other people.”
Latino male, 19, Whittier College
“Of course [gays] are gonna be attacked, especially where I live out here in East L.A. I’ve been targeted ever since junior high school. Bashed, harassed, especially in P.E. They were throwing bottles and rocks at me. I knew three other gay people in junior high. It’s much better [at Eagles.] There are less students there, which is good. You work at your own pace, and the teachers are great and so are the students. I’m more on the spirituality thing like Madonna. There is a God and if he didn’t want us to be this way he wouldn’t have made us at all.”
Robert Quiroz, 16, EAGLES Center
“Matthew Shepard’s murder affected me in many different ways. Made me think to be very careful wherever I go. My main wish is for gay people to be equal, or to be treated the way we should be – as humans, not by our sexual preference. All I would want other people to understand is we all are humans made of flesh. We all die, we all hurt sometimes, we all love sometimes. People should not be judged by their color, or sexual preference. As long as you know your own sexuality it should not be anybody’s business.”
Latino male, 17, Chino Hills HS
“I think [Shepard’s] murder was very tragic and sad. It was a shame that he had to die because of his sexual orientation. My main wish for the future is for all people to get along. And for the gay community to be accepted like it should. I worry people will hate us more because of who we are. [People should understand] that we are not the ones who spread disease and hatred throughout everyone. The hate and disease is all within ourselves.”
Latina female, 16, Monterey Continuation HS
“[Shepard’s murder] made me feel very unsafe and just the thought that things like that can still happen is very scary. I want to be accepted as a human with feelings and to teach people about myself. [Being gay] is not a disease and we are not out to hurt anyone. We just want to be ourselves.”
Henry Boghossian, 19, Garfield HS
“I don’t think [Shepard’s murder] affected me badly. I just thought it really sucked. I guess I hope that people will be treated equally and stuff like that. I would be happy if I succeed in life and find an equal partner for me. I guess [I want people to understand] that we’re just like everyone else and not perverts, well at least I’m not.”
Latino male, 18, Montebello HS
“I have been targeted in the past for being gay, but that was when I had no self-esteem and used to let myself be the main target.