Reflections on “Love, Simon”

Why do you feel the need to shame and persecute gay people? This weekend I saw “Love, Simon,” and it brought up a lot of feelings I thought I’d moved on from. That movie really hit close to home; I can’t count how many times I cried.

For a gay person, coming out is one of the most brutal, self-destructive actions one can take. You truly risk everything you have - friends, popularity, self-esteem, even the potential for public humiliation. When someone is tearing themselves at the seams over their sexual orientation, the last thing that person wants is to be outcast. Quite frankly, I can’t begin to describe the utter loneliness and despair stemming from it. As someone who once contemplated suicide, I don’t know if I would be here today without the support I received.

Straight guys, please help me understand: Why do you kick those who are down? Will you ever realize that your harassment causes pain, misery and suicide? We bleed red just like you. Please, if you’re going to say something derogatory about gay people, reconsider. We may just be a humorous scapegoat to you, but you cripple us. Where is the humanity in that?

Ethan Granat

Spokane