On Jan. 9, 2013, Jadin Bell, 15, a sophomore at La Grande High, hung himself from playground equipment at the Central Elementary School playground. Jadin subsequently died the following Sunday at OHSU after being taken off life support. Justin was the victim of bullying for being openly gay; it was bullying — both online and off — that drove him to commit suicide.

Jim Lucas Sr.’s statement, published Aug. 29 in The Observer’s comment section, promotes homophobia: “It’s time, dear citizens, to awaken and gather your guts, to take verbal condemnation against Pride Day.” Last I heard, “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39) still applies. Despite Mr. Lucas’ fears and outrange, an estimated 3% of the world’s population is gay, lesbian or homosexual (ipsos-lgbt-pride-2021 global survey). Human sexuality is biological in nature; it is what we are born with.

Discriminating against anyone is wrong, be it their sexuality, gender, race or religion. Words hurt; too many people have died, or their lives or careers destroyed through discrimination. Public and private administrative policies and legal statutes exist to protect people from hateful discrimination.

As adults, let us not further burden our children by promoting harmful discriminatory behaviors to them. Our children are challenged daily by social, environmental and economic conditions that detrimentally affect their mental and physical health, in ways we seldom had to face in our youth.

“It’s time, dear citizens, to awaken and gather your guts, to take verbal condemnation against” discrimination, not against Pride Day.

Steve Antell

La Grande