|
Gabi Clayton's Guestbook #47 - From 9/7/03 to 11/4/03
Note: This guestbook reads from the bottom of the page up. -- Gabi
| Tuesday 11/04/2003
7:09:51am |
| Name: |
Ben Mills |
| E-Mail: |
elvax84@hotmail.com |
| Homepage: |
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| Homepage
URL: |
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| Location: |
NSW, Australia |
| Comments: |
I've been trying to
think of wat to write here and there is just so much i want to
say that i dont know were to start. All i know is that i feel so
much sympathy for you and your family Gabbi and i wish there was
some way to take away your pain. I read Bill's story off Mogenic
and whilst he may have lived a short life it seems to me that he
acomplished so much in the time he was here and that his legacy
shall hopefully acomplish even more. There is so much more i
want to say but i just can put it into words (really, i've been
at this for half an hour writing and deleting :) So i think ill
just end this with a thankyou. If it wasnt for brave people like
you telling yours and Bill's story then the world would never
know of some of the horendous things done by so called normal
people and it would be a much darker place to live. So thankyou
for making it a safer place for all of us who are born not wrong
just different. |
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| Saturday 11/01/2003
6:41:38pm |
| Name: |
Katie Kottemann |
| E-Mail: |
klkhrk@hotmail.com |
| Homepage: |
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| Homepage
URL: |
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| Location: |
New Orleans, La |
| Comments: |
I'm crying. Thank you
for sharing this story. My best friend is gay and has been
assaulted many times. I don't know what I would do if I lost
him.
~Katie |
|
| Thursday 10/30/2003
2:18:26pm |
| Name: |
francis ryall |
| E-Mail: |
Fancis
R yall76@hitmail.com |
| Homepage: |
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| Homepage
URL: |
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| Location: |
NF Canada |
| Comments: |
Gabby: I am crying
after reading Bill's story. I AM SO SORRY THAT SUCH A BEAUTIFUL
CHILD WAS TAKEN FROM YOU,AND THE WORLD. WE MUST BELIEVE THAT HE
NOW HAS PEACE AND JOY. THANKYOU FOR THE COURAGE, AND THE LOVE IT
TOOK TO TELL THIS STORY AND THE WORKS YOU HAVE DONE. PRAYERS FOR
YOU. |
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| Thursday 10/30/2003
2:02:02pm |
| Name: |
Frank R. |
| E-Mail: |
xavrush89@yahoo.com |
| Homepage: |
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| Homepage
URL: |
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| Location: |
Illinois, U.S.A. |
| Comments: |
I came across your
story via a link from hatecrime.org. How fortunate Bill was to
have had parents lile you and Alec, and a kind brother as well.
Some of us had to take years to get our families to the point of
acceptance at which your family STARTED! Thank you for sharing
your son's memory with us. |
|
| Monday 10/27/2003
4:44:50pm |
| Name: |
Cody Bacon |
| E-Mail: |
basktcase12@yahoo.com |
| Homepage: |
xanga.com/basktcase12 |
| Homepage
URL: |
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| Location: |
hudson falls, new york |
| Comments: |
this was a very
toutching story. im very glad that some people out there can
recognize these things and acctually try to stop it. i only
really knew the story of matthew shepard, but i am proud to say
that i am now educated even further in this. thank you for
opening my eyes to what i didnt want to believe- that there are
so many tagic events that happen to/against gays (of all sorts) |
|
| Monday 10/27/2003
4:39:02pm |
| Name: |
Steven K. Embree |
| E-Mail: |
PapaSmurf4429@hotmail.com |
| Homepage: |
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| Homepage
URL: |
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| Location: |
Florence, KY
41022-1431 |
| Comments: |
Words cannot even
begin to describe my feelings for you and your family with
Bill's death. I am 47 years old. I have been having a most
challenging and difficult time on dealing with coming to terms
with my own sexuality. Only our Heavenly Father knows how
difficult it was for Bill. I am so sorry for your loss. It
sounds like Bill was one really fabulous person to know. This is
the reason I am working on being a Big Brother/mentor - to be a
source of light and inspiration for other young people who are
questioning or coming to terms with their sexual orientation.
My prayers are with you. Again, I am so sorry for your loss.
Steven K. Embree (PapaSmurf4429@hotmail.com) |
|
| Friday 10/24/2003
7:58:33am |
| Name: |
Joni Younginer |
| E-Mail: |
jyounginer@windsordoor.com |
| Homepage: |
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| Homepage
URL: |
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| Location: |
Little Rock, AR |
| Comments: |
Congratulations on a
great memorial and tribute to Bill. As a lesbian, this site
really touches close to home. Bill should be remembered for his
bravery and love for others and I think that your site displays
his will to make things better very well. We should all have a
little bit of "Bill" inside us and remember that hate
should never be acceptable. We should all continue to join
together to fight for equal rights for the GLBT community,
including strict Hate Crime Legislation. Bill's story will live
in my heart for a long time to come.
Thank you, |
|
| Monday 10/20/2003
5:37:27pm |
| Name: |
Debbie |
| E-Mail: |
deblvtt@yahoo.com |
| Homepage: |
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| Homepage
URL: |
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| Location: |
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| Comments: |
Thanks so much for
sharing your story it is very moving and I am very touched keep
up the good work |
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| Saturday 10/18/2003
2:00:54pm |
| Name: |
Johannes |
| E-Mail: |
reg1701@msn.com |
| Homepage: |
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| Homepage
URL: |
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| Location: |
Germany |
| Comments: |
My sincere
condolences.
Bill's story really makes me sad. How can people do something?
If I watch a photo of Bill on which he is laughing and then a
photo from the day after I'm moved to tears.
I'm myself gay (14) and it isn't an easy situation.
Our world needs people like you! |
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| Saturday 10/18/2003
6:13:12am |
| Name: |
Ray Wiltfong |
| E-Mail: |
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| Homepage: |
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| Homepage
URL: |
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| Location: |
Portland OR |
| Comments: |
I am so sorry about
your loss. The story of Bill's life has, does and will serve as
a lesson for all that read about him.
As a society, I think the way we respond to sexual abuse is
often as damaging as the abuse itself.
Why is it that society places such a low value on the life of a
child?
Why do we allow recruters into our schools, our children to
enter the military at 17 but not allow them to vote until they
are 21?
Why do we a allow child preditors to walk our streets and ride
our buses?
When will we DO something to change it?
Hugs to Bill's family |
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| Wednesday 10/15/2003
9:35:34am |
| Name: |
Chrystina Rupnick |
| E-Mail: |
fallin_angel1703@yahoo.com |
| Homepage: |
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| Homepage
URL: |
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| Location: |
Redding California |
| Comments: |
Your son's story is
amazing, and it has inspired me to keep beliving in what i
belive in. Thank you it only made me feel stronger about my
beliefs. |
|
| Wednesday 10/15/2003
6:11:58am |
| Name: |
David Harris |
| E-Mail: |
harrisd1@ntlworld.com |
| Homepage: |
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| Homepage
URL: |
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| Location: |
United Kingdom |
| Comments: |
Sorry for your tragic
loss. |
|
| Tuesday 10/14/2003
5:40:38pm |
| Name: |
Brandy Mays |
| E-Mail: |
babygirlfrommbk@aol.com |
| Homepage: |
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| Homepage
URL: |
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| Location: |
chesterfield, Va |
| Comments: |
Growing up I have met
many gay/bisexual individuals, and they are some of the most
compasionate and giving people that I have ever met. I am so
sorry to hear about your loss. Bill seemed like a great kid!
EVen though we do not know each other, I want you to know that
you and your family are in my prayers. God Bless |
|
| Tuesday 10/14/2003
11:15:13am |
| Name: |
Mat |
| E-Mail: |
matwick@hotmail.com |
| Homepage: |
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| Homepage
URL: |
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| Location: |
United Kingdom |
| Comments: |
My deepest sympathy
for your loss. I think what you have done and how you turned
something so terrible into something so helpful is so touching
and remarkable. Im a 17 year old and am gay. I have had points
in my life when I just feel I cant go on. Storys like this do
help, I know because they have helped me so much. Good luck with
your work |
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| Monday 10/13/2003
11:28:02am |
| Name: |
Brad Johnson |
| E-Mail: |
bjohnson@greenriver.edu |
| Homepage: |
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| Homepage
URL: |
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| Location: |
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| Comments: |
As an educator, I will
share your sorrowful story with my students in an attempt to
humanize and give a face to the consequences of hate crimes. I
applaud your courage to turn this most painful saga into a
galvanizing gesture
that will foster understanding. Thank you. |
|
| Sunday 10/12/2003
11:00:28pm |
| Name: |
Kat Eichacker |
| E-Mail: |
boobsmagoo@aol.com |
| Homepage: |
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| Homepage
URL: |
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| Location: |
Iowa |
| Comments: |
So sorry for your loss |
|
| Saturday 10/11/2003
7:01:03pm |
| Name: |
Jayson Clark |
| E-Mail: |
jayson18@slingshot.co.nz |
| Homepage: |
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| Homepage
URL: |
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| Location: |
Auckland, New Zealand |
| Comments: |
Hello Gabi, thank you
for sharing bills story, it has touched me deeply, and Im
saddened by it, I don't understand how people can hurts others.
I live in the South Pacific, In New Zealand, And I feel lucky
that this sort of stuff has stopped here, back before 1985 it
used to happen alot, but the Gay/Bi/Les/Trans Commuinity stuck
together whith help of loved ones and friends to fight our
Government and force them to change the law.
I was only 13 when I came out, and when my family found out, the
did'nt want much to do with me, but I was happy with that, my
father disowned me, at this stage my mother had already passed
on, so she never knew, but I guess if she did she would have
accepted it with open arms.
I've been reading your website now for the past 4 hours, and
have been crying since the first page I read, I just can't
beleive people can do that to others and not feel guilty or
remorse.
It sounds like bill ha some really loving and caring people in
his life.
The law over here was changed back in 1984-1986 somewhere round
there, to make it illegal to discriminate against sex, race,
religeon, and sexuality, we have 2 or 3 members of parliment who
are openly gay/Transgender, and also fight on for our community.
The gay/Bi/Les/Trans Community and their friends and family
world wide have to keep together and keep fighting for ourt
rights.
To end this I'd like to post a little poem and friend sent me.
"Friend's are quiet Little Angles who lift us to our feet
when our wings have trouble remembering who to fly"
Peace for everybody |
|
| Thursday 10/09/2003
11:26:51am |
| Name: |
Lisa J |
| E-Mail: |
crazziej@alltel.net |
| Homepage: |
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| Homepage
URL: |
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| Location: |
United States |
| Comments: |
I found alot of
inspiration on this great website. I can truely see the love and
strenth you have. |
|
| Wednesday 10/08/2003
4:35:24pm |
| Name: |
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| E-Mail: |
davidwilly@excite.com |
| Homepage: |
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| Homepage
URL: |
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| Location: |
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| Comments: |
Sorry, put my email
address in, stupidly I put my last name in where my email should
have been. David |
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| Wednesday 10/08/2003
4:30:22pm |
| Name: |
david |
| E-Mail: |
williamson |
| Homepage: |
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| Homepage
URL: |
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| Location: |
england |
| Comments: |
I was saddened by your
son's story, my thoughts go out to you and your family. I know
what it like to live in a world full of hate because of your
sexuality. I am away from that now, I realise how lucky I was to
come through the other end of it, not only do homophobic people
give you there hatred, they teach you self loathing, I am sorry
your son and anyone in the world has to suffer that. I hope
other young people realise you can come through it, you just
have to be strong. I thank you for telling your son's story.
Kind regards. David Williamson |
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| Monday 10/06/2003
6:38:35pm |
| Name: |
Jayme |
| E-Mail: |
lilhockeybiatch@hotmail.com |
| Homepage: |
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| Homepage
URL: |
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| Location: |
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| Comments: |
At our school we do
something called a "Silent protest against hate" and
while looking for someone to honor I came across your son and
your web page and not ever hearing about this before and reading
what happen brought tears to my eyes, I cannot believe anyone
could be so horribly hateful to make someone so special end
thier life. I am so sorry! |
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| Saturday 10/04/2003
10:37:55am |
| Name: |
Janet Lutz |
| E-Mail: |
four.wheeln@verizon.net |
| Homepage: |
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| Homepage
URL: |
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| Location: |
Seattle,WA |
| Comments: |
The Story touched my
heart. I will always remember it. |
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| Friday 10/03/2003
8:34:03pm |
| Name: |
Angela |
| E-Mail: |
angbirth@yahoo.com |
| Homepage: |
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| Homepage
URL: |
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| Location: |
Hubbell, MI |
| Comments: |
I grew up down the
street from Oly High- you could see it from my house- and as a
girl I would play at Oly High often. I graduated from Tumwater
High in 97 and I remember this very well. I was shocked at how
people my own age could do things with such hate- we (my
generation) were the open minded type- I am very sorry for your
loss, I myself have a newborn daughter and I pray that whatever
choice she makes in her life she is happy. I hope no matter what
she is loved and them most respected even if not understood. It
is sad that our children grow up to be so hateful they can bring
people to what Bill found as the only way out. Open arms to your
family and everyone who loved Bill. I wish you understanding and
peace. I pray that your story will change people and make them
kinder and at least educated on personal choice and personal
right to have any life they chose. |
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| Thursday 10/02/2003
4:53:31pm |
| Name: |
Robin Williams |
| E-Mail: |
pleasetalktorobin@yahoo.com |
| Homepage: |
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| Homepage
URL: |
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| Location: |
Los Angeles, CA |
| Comments: |
Thank you for putting
your family's experience out there. Hopefully it will raise
awareness for those who don't face the constant discrimination
that gay and bisexual youth deal with all the time. I can feel
your love for your son eminating from the story, he was so very
fortunate to have you in his life. Unfortunately other parents
are not as smart as you. Thank you for sharing. |
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| Wednesday 10/01/2003
8:52:03pm |
| Name: |
Lorina |
| E-Mail: |
Lorinabear13@yahoo.com |
| Homepage: |
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| Homepage
URL: |
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| Location: |
washington |
| Comments: |
hello~
I am a 16 y/o bisexual female. i know it isnt that rare anymore
to find us ( bi fems) but i am doing a class project about teen
trials and tribulations. i have found your site more usfull than
any newspaper or any other website. i am very sorry about your
loss and thank you for letting me use the information about your
son. |
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| Saturday 09/27/2003
11:54:16am |
| Name: |
Alexandra Selintino |
| E-Mail: |
alexandra_selintino@yahoo.com |
| Homepage: |
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| Homepage
URL: |
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| Location: |
Jersey City, New
Jersey |
| Comments: |
I have been
researching information on the story of Brandon Teena, and I
came across Bill's story. I am profoundly moved. I hope that
other's will read about Bill, and find it in their hearts to be
more compassionate. My heart aches for Brandon Teena and
Bill..they will remain with me as long as I live. And I will do
everything in my power to help those in need, to know that there
are people out there who love and accept them, just the way they
are. Again, thank you for sharing your son with us. -Alexandra
Selintino |
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| Wednesday 09/24/2003
3:33:26pm |
| Name: |
Anne |
| E-Mail: |
slumberingfear@yahoo.com |
| Homepage: |
FaintlyFeeling.net |
| Homepage
URL: |
http://www.faintlyfeeling.net |
| Location: |
USA |
| Comments: |
No one deserves to be
treated like Bill was. I can understand both your pain and his,
and if I could comfort you in any way I would with all my heart.
Hopefully there will be a day where things like this won't
happen any longer. Your son did not deserve his pain, and I'm
sure he was a beautiful person.
Love, Anne. |
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| Monday 09/22/2003
12:11:50am |
| Name: |
Kris Carpenter |
| E-Mail: |
carpentek004@hawaii.rr.com |
| Homepage: |
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| Homepage
URL: |
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| Location: |
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| Comments: |
I found your link on a
web page i found by searching "brandon tenna". I just
watched the movie "Boys Don't Cry" last night, and
although I am not gay, I am different. Aren't we all? Isn't that
what makes the world so wonderful? I am so sorry for your loss.
I wish I could have made a difference in Bill's life. |
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| Saturday 09/20/2003
3:12:53am |
| Name: |
Matej |
| E-Mail: |
nohhec17@yahoo.com |
| Homepage: |
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| Homepage
URL: |
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| Location: |
Slovenia |
| Comments: |
- |
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| Friday 09/19/2003
8:02:08pm |
| Name: |
Grace |
| E-Mail: |
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| Homepage: |
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| Homepage
URL: |
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| Location: |
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| Comments: |
I really enjoyed
reading Bil's Story, I have many friends who are biseual or gay,
and being bisexual myself, we fact hate from people who don't
even know us. I wish somehow that everyone at my high school
would read your writings and maybe understand that we don't
choose they way we are and we aren't bad or wrong because of the
way we are. It amazes me still how much hate has been so deeply
engrained into my fellow high school students - if this is now,
what are we in for in the future? Another Holocaust? I certainly
hope not, although it does seem that we are repeating history,
as we obviously have not learned from it. |
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| Wednesday 09/17/2003
5:45:56pm |
| Name: |
Beth Winner |
| E-Mail: |
jwinner@insight.rr.com |
| Homepage: |
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| Homepage
URL: |
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| Location: |
Ohio |
| Comments: |
what a very sad
story...my heart goes out to you...Its a very mean ruff
world.... |
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| Wednesday 09/17/2003
3:57:02pm |
| Name: |
Ray |
| E-Mail: |
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| Homepage: |
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| Homepage
URL: |
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| Location: |
hayward ca |
| Comments: |
i read the story i
thought it was very sad i kinda going threw the sae thing its
not a good feeling eing treated cause your different |
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| Wednesday 09/17/2003
7:52:54am |
| Name: |
Lainey |
| E-Mail: |
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| Homepage: |
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| Homepage
URL: |
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| Location: |
San Francisco, CA |
| Comments: |
I was very touched by
this story. |
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| Monday 09/15/2003
4:06:05pm |
| Name: |
Stephen Fitzsimons |
| E-Mail: |
hayclose3_server1@msn.com |
| Homepage: |
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| Homepage
URL: |
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| Location: |
Kendal |
| Comments: |
You are still in my
thoughts Gabi and Bill. Respect life as it is preshious. |
|
| Friday 09/12/2003
4:24:25am |
| Name: |
Caesar!! |
| E-Mail: |
Cpascuales@latinmail.com |
| Homepage: |
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| Homepage
URL: |
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| Location: |
Marseille-France |
| Comments: |
Hi, I don't know who
will read this, but all I have to say is that bill's history is
so sad, I can't explain it, but I'm passig trough the same pain
that He must felt. It's grat to see how much his maother loves
him in spite of his preferences, my parents loves me, but they
don't want to accept me, I don't what to do...in one of you
favourite quotes there's one that says: the pain never goes
away, we simply learn, through practice, how to live in spite of
it, or through it. To have that pain, it's so horrible, that you
just want to lay on you bed, and never wake up, I just want
that...but I'm so afraid!! I know what bill felt, believe me, I
know why he did what he did...I can't write anymore, my tears
don't stop, hope soon, I'll be better. |
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| Thursday 09/11/2003
8:31:11am |
| Name: |
Michael Willbanks |
| E-Mail: |
Advacoteforus@yahoo.com |
| Homepage: |
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| Homepage
URL: |
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| Location: |
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| Comments: |
WHY ARE PEOPLE SO
STUPID WHEN IT COMES TO SOMEONE BEING GAY? |
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| Wednesday 09/10/2003
9:26:38pm |
| Name: |
Natalie Yabut |
| E-Mail: |
queenie@bwpsi.com |
| Homepage: |
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| Homepage
URL: |
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| Location: |
Illinois |
| Comments: |
I have a step-brother
and he came out to us about 4 years ago. He has had a hard time
in his high school years, but he got through it. I feel so
lucky, because at one point he was also very suicidal. I
sympathize with Bill's family as I know how this must feel. Why
can't people be just open minded, and accept the fact that what
ever sexual preferences have, they are still people, humans,
just like you and me. That should be the last thing that we
judge people by. Straight, Gay, Bi, Lesbians, we are all humans,
with rights, feelings, emotions. They say having concience, and
feeling guilt separates us from humans, but in turn people that
commit hate crimes, don't have guilt, don't have conciences,
they can't have a concience. Think about this: what would you do
if this happened to a family member? People have every right to
be negative, but keep it to yourself. People are entitled, and
have a right to their oppinion, but they don't have the right to
use that to degrade other people. In recent studies, people that
degrade others want to feel better about themselves. So think
before commiting something hateful, even calling people names.
An open mind might help make the rates of hate crimes and crimes
in general go down. |
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| Tuesday 09/09/2003
1:15:44pm |
| Name: |
Peg Wielang |
| E-Mail: |
pwielang@charter.net |
| Homepage: |
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| Homepage
URL: |
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| Location: |
Washington |
| Comments: |
I wish everyone would
realize that we are all here to fullfill experiances in this
lifetime so our souls can advance & grow!
It doesn't matter what religion you are,what color you
are,sexual preference{as long as you don't force your views on
others}, or what financial status you have or don't have.
This world would be a much better place if we would all just be
& let be.
I am sick & tiered of these, so called,religious folks
pointing their fingers @ what they think is right or wrong.They
are most often the very ones that should not be judging.
I,for one, feel that as long as you are not mean or hurting
anyone else, you should just enjoy the differences in one
another.
Have a great day! :} |
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| Monday 09/08/2003
10:25:41am |
| Name: |
valerie |
| E-Mail: |
vtopacio@holynames-sea.org |
| Homepage: |
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| Homepage
URL: |
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| Location: |
seattle |
| Comments: |
I am Mimi's niece, and
have heard a great deal about this tradegy. This should never
happen to such a good, loving person.My prayers are with you and
your family, god bless, Valerie |
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| Sunday 09/07/2003
6:42:07am |
| Name: |
Malcos Ambury |
| E-Mail: |
malcs7@icqmail.com |
| Homepage: |
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| Homepage
URL: |
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| Location: |
United Kingdom |
| Comments: |
I loose count of how
many who think being Gay or Bi is a chosen lifestyle.
Some people will never understand that you don't choose this
lifestyle that is fraught with difficulty.
Bill's story only confirms what I have always believed - that
ignorance and fear reproduce ignorance and fear.
For Gabi, for telling the world this story, I have the greatest
respect. I hope that it achieves what she set out to achieve by
telling it. I know it is what someone like Bill would want. |
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