Open Letter to
The Advocate

We are lawyers, advocates, and child welfare professionals who are passionate about our commitment to creating a world in which all children and youth can live safely, with the love and support they need to become healthy, productive, self-assured adults. We are shocked and angry and profoundly saddened by the murder of Larry King, and the daily torment endured by countless children and youth who identify, or are perceived, as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or gender-variant. Like others, we are naturally inclined to look for the cause, the failure, the person or persons whom we can hold accountable for this tragedy. We need look no further than our own culture, which vilifies difference and glorifies violence. We can scarcely tolerate the thought, but Larry King's death is a predictable consequence of this societal malaise. Although it is too late to save Larry, his death inspires us to tell the truth.

* Homophobia kills children.

We are all too familiar with the cliches that trivialize the daily taunts and ridicule directed at LGBT children and youth. "All kids tease each other." "How many gay kids are there anyway?" "Just ignore the bullies." "If only they wouldn't flaunt it." "Sticks and stones..." These sentiments ring hollow as we struggle to comprehend Larry's murder, and the relentless suffering foisted upon LGBT children and youth across this country every day. We know that the inevitable trajectory of unchecked bigotry is hatred, violence, suicide, and yes, murder. We categorically reject any attempt to minimize the dangers facing LGBT children and youth, and we refuse to wait until our society is collectively ready to take action.

* Hiding fuels hatred.

We are afraid for LGBT children's safety, and we desperately want to protect them from harm. Some would place them in the closet for safe keeping. But we know -- sometimes from our own experiences -- the devastating emotional, physical, and spiritual costs of denying one's own core identity. We cannot keep children safe by hiding them. Succumbing to fear creates an environment in which hatred thrives. Invisibility is just another, more insidious, killer. We reiterate our commitment to supporting the healthy development of all children and youth, and helping them discover, integrate, and express their sexual orientation and gender identity. We reject the suggestion that the answer is to ask children to pretend, lie, hide, or pass.

The responsibility lies with us -- the adults who have created a world in which children express the hateful attitudes of their elders. We must redouble our efforts to expose and condemn the ubiquitous manifestations of homophobia and transphobia in every corner of our culture. We must speak up, ask questions, denounce indifference, and take action. LGBT children and youth are suffering. The time is now.

Legal Services for Children, San Francisco, CA

National Center for Lesbian Rights, San Francisco, CA

Family Builders by Adoption, Oakland, CA