This week a 16-year-old boy brought me to tears due to his courage and maturity, despite his tender age.

A big newspaper in Brazil reported on a case of domestic homophobia against X. (his name hasn’t been revealed because his underage). The boy decided to put an end to his father’s provocations. A homosexual himself, the teenager, who lives in Parque Piratininga, in the municipality of Itaquaquecetuba, São Paulo state, had never told his father about his sexual orientation until then.

We both were watching TV, when he joked about soccer and gay men. He said that if he had a “fag” as a son, he would kill him. I couldn’t hold myself anymore and spoke out: “Then, you should rethink your attitude as your son is a homosexual.” He came over me, threw me against the wall, suffocated me, and gave me two punches in the mouth.

Reportedly, the young man rushed to the bathroom and took pictures of the damage caused by his father in order to send them forward to his mother, who lives in Rio de Janeiro.

— They separated six years ago. I even lived with my mom in Rio, but one year ago I came back to São Paulo as I could have more opportunities to lead a career in modeling here – he explains, adding that he had grown up seeing his father beat his mother.

After the assault, X. left his father’s house and, since then, he has been sheltered in his boyfriend’s aunt’s house. According to him, his father had his 13-year-old brother deliver a message to let him know that “he doesn’t want to hear from him anymore.”

— I am afraid — I must confess. Afraid of walking on the streets and be assaulted, for instance. But I think it’s important to warn other young people about the need for courage, always – he concludes.

 

When I stumble at cases like that, I think of how urgent and paramount it is to provide homeless LGBT youth with appropriate sheltering and opportunities to study and work so as to develop autonomy and overcome unnecessary struggles in the company of their homophobic and transphobic parents, step-parents and other people who should help them develop their personalities and talents to the full, instead of harassing them in all possible ways.

One of the best examples of what I mean is what singer Cindy Lauper has been doing through her True Colors Fund and her True Colors Residence for Homeless LGBT Youth, which, as far as I am concerned, is one of the most effective enterprises in the field of LGBT youth empowerment.

I suggest that you take a few minutes to watch this video and get inspired.

People should donate generously to programs like that. Also, other initiatives should be sponsored as much as possible.

Our LGBTQIA+ youth must not be wasted like rubbish – no matter where they come from or why they have been expelled from their so-called homes. Instead, they should be treasured as the gemstones they really are. And if their own family does not think like that, that’s one more reason to support them. Would you?

The news resource in Portuguese can be found here: http://extra.globo.com/noticias/brasil/jovem-gay-de-sp-relata-agressao-cometida-pelo-pai-me-enforcou-socou-minha-boca-19074750.html#ixzz461WMSMXD