I have been hesitant to post anything about the death of eight grader Larry King, the openly gay kid in Oxnard, CA who was shot a week ago. The reason I have hesitated it because it just hurts so damn much. I was born in Oxnard, CA. Although I feel a million miles away from there, the news of this tragedy put me right back in this farm community northwest of Los Angeles.
It seems like youth today are beyond out. It seems like they have embraced the right to identify as LGBTQ. But this veil is thin and when it is pierced, it is deadly. The veil of Larry's shooter was 14 year-old Brandon McInerney.everything is okay was pierced when Larry's classmate, 14 year-old Brandon McInerney shot Larry in the head in the middle of class. After shooting Larry, Brandon stopped and looked at the class, shot Larry again as he lay on the floor, then left the classroom. Brandon, who looks like he could live next to the Cleavers, is being charged as an adult and is being held on a million dollars bail.
In this past week there have been vigils and a large march in Oxnard in rememberance of Larry. This brave kid declared that he was gay and would come to school in heels and makeup. Good for him. Good for his parents. They are the reason that the fight for gay rights will never end. It will never end because no hate crime is tolerable and hate will always exist. I just expect hate to be shoved into the deep recesses of consciousness and if a person is weak enough to let it out, there will be consequences to pay.
Larry's bravery will live on with me. It will live on with many of us. So the next time you think of being anyone else than yourself, remember the 15 year-old who gave his life to be himself. God Bless You, Larry King.
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