As a parent, I cannot comprehend disowning one of my children much less killing them, yet reports coming out of Las Vegas indicate that 14 year old Giovanni Melton was murdered by his father because his father, Wendell Melton would not tolerate the fact that his son was gay. Reportedly, the father said he would rather have a dead son that one who was gay. Where does such ugliness come from? In my view, three elements are involved. The first, of course, is fundamentalist/evangelical religion that continues to denigrate and malign LGBT individuals while spreading the lie that sexual orientation is a "choice." Some of the most homophobic pastors are in black churches who allow themselves to be cynically manipulated by those who in my opinion are anti-gay white supremacists such as those at The Family Foundation here in Virginia.
A second factor is the anti-gay agenda of the Republican Party. Indeed, at this moment the U.S. Justice Department is arguing before the Supreme Court that anti-gay discrimination is perfectly fine and legal as long as it is wrapped in the smoke screen of "religious belief." This bigotry provides yet another layer of legitimacy to anti-gay hatred. The third factor, in my view, is self-centered parents who care more about "what will people think" about them rather than the happiness and well-being of their children. Some accuse me of being anti-religion and, frankly, when I see this kind of ugliness, yes, I am. A young life ended for no reason other than bigotry and apparent self-absorption. Here are highlights from Channel 3 News in Las Vegas:
Friends and family are remembering a 14-year-old son who Henderson police say was shot and killed by his own father. People close to the murder victim say part of the argument leading to the shooting was about the teen's sexual orientation.
Friends of Giovanni Melton remember an energetic teenager bringing smiles to everyone he met.On Thursday afternoon, Henderson police say 53-year-old Wendell Melton shot his teenage son in the apartment where family members say Giovanni stayed by himself.
"Giovanni was abused physically and mentally and spiritually for many, many years," said Sonja Jones, Giovanni's former foster mom.
Over the phone, Jones spoke of the teen she loved as one of her own. Jones says she was told by another family member that part of the argument that led to the deadly shooting was over Giovanni's sexual orientation. Jones says Wendell Melton had problems with it.
"He hated the fact that his son was gay," said Jones. "I'm sure that inside of his mind, he would rather have a dead son than a gay son." Jones says Wendell threatened his son before."I'm hearing his dad had caught him with his boyfriend before and pulled out a gun on him," said Jones. Giovanni was a student at Coronado High School. Jones says a beautiful life was taken away because of ignorance. "I hope they throw the book at him.
