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When you hit the "Send it!" button the page will reload and your letter will have been added to the bottom of this page. Please understand that when/if you fill in your name, e-mail address, and URL, they will appear here with your note. Also, there seems to be a limit to how big a guestbook entry can be --- if you have a lot to say then it may be better to do it through e-mail, and tell me that you want me to post it on the response pages. And I want to thank each of you for taking the time to respond here.
This new guestbook was started on 10/6/97. You can read the older ones and all the response pages too -- the link to responses at the top of the page will get you there. Sorry, I couldn't read it all! It is a very sad story that should never have happened. I'm speechless. And crying. I think the worst part about your story is that there are people that will continue to justify these types of crimes. Just this summer we had a local man that was beaten by two teens because he was walking near a gay bar. And the news media here played up the fact that the man was a heterosexual. instead of just letting that be a non-factor in the public's opinion. And to anyone that reads this and suffers from the depression that Billy went through please please seek help! I will think of Billy and others that we have lost always. Gabi; I just want to say that your son was brave and incredible. I wish society wasn't so ignorant! Your story has touched my heart in many ways. I send my love to you and your family. I am deeply sorry for your loss, and have been greatly touched by your story. Gabi. Thank you so much for sharing Bill's story with the world. Rarely have I been so touched by the plight and suffering of another hunan being and by the outstanding responses you have received. You are to be congratulated and supported for your courage and dedication in trying to make the world a better place. WARNING from Gabi: well, Dear Gabi- I guess if I was a sodomite I would This site is gay. I just read your sons story on October 10, 1997. I feel some weord connection to him not just because I am gay and came out as a youth also but because on the day I accessed the story I also "celebrated" if you will my anniversary. It was on this day In 1994 that I teasted positive for the HIV virus. It outraged me to read that your son was denied as a donor because of his so called "at risk lifestyle". It also outraged me because as a gay youth I did not experience any negative response or at least as much as your son did. I am very sorry for this...your son sounded like an extraordinary person and I would Have been proud to call him FRIEND...actually if it is okay with you I would still like to call him FRIEND. Plse if you have enough time email me and keep me up on your crusade to make "our schools" a better place for everyone. -Rick Franklin Kansas City, Missouri I think it's sad that there are those thousands of narrow minded people who beat people up with God's Word. Instead of getting the message....which in the New Testament ...the Greatest commandment is to love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and soul...and the second greatest commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself...... I have to wonder where these "Christians" make the decision that God really has commissioned them to distort His word and to cast judgment on all who do not "fit" within the sinless category. I don't think I've ever seen picket lines around a bunch of aldulterers....or around murderers...or liars...or thieves.....or any other type of "sin" the Bible mentions. When God tells us to love...it is without bias and judgment. Jesus didn't come to earth to be around the religious right....He came to earth to demonstrate His love toward us...in that while we were yet sinners....He died for us. If God waited until we were all perfect....we would all be enjoying the licking flames of hell. Jesus was filled with compassion and love....FOR ALL. As I tell my homophobic friends....put any homosexual next to any upstanding Christian....and discover that God loves them equally!! It's pretty dangerous when we, humans, begin to decide who God loves and who He doesn't. The hate mongers....those that throw the Bible at people....those that take the word "love" out of the scriptures....are nothing. I seem to recall in 1Cor.13 that there are words to that effect....."And if I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, BUT DO NOT HAVE LOVE; I am NOTHING!!" I'm sorry to say that Bill's story and others like him are the reason I haven't been honest about my sexuality with my family, friends and community. I also think it's scary that "Christians" can be so hateful. What is the point of being a Christian besides loving their Diety, themselves and others. What's even scarier is that the KKK and the bible could be point in the passage earlier in this scrapbook. I would like to thank you Gabi for being strong for the rest of us that fear what other people will think and do to us. Keep up the good work and post some ideas on how to stop the hate in our own communities. Thank you again. Gabi, you be strong with the realization that nothing anyone says will ever kill your boy's spirit! Gabi, I am sick and tired of these dick sucking anal licking sodomites!i am sick Its not homophobia,because i do not fear gays,there is nothing more that i would like than to hit a fag or dyke with a bat!But it is more aidsphobia,because i fear of getting aids from these abominations!There that dyke goes saying that god loves gays as much as he loves My dear Gabi: I have received a lot of viscious hate mail by sodomites. This sexual perverts evidently do not believe I have a right to believe the Holy Bible the Word of God. This is the Word of God that will last forever and that clearly states that sodomites are doomed to eternal conscious torment in the Lake of Fire, unless they turn from their wicked sins and accept and obey the Lord Jesus Christ. So Bill thought he was tormented here on earth? Now he is really being tormented in the Lake of Fire. He will never get out, but will be in conscious burning torment for all eternity. I advise the rest of you sodomites to turn from your wicked sins and beg the Lord Jesus Christ to forgive you. I don't really know what to say. I am working on a paper about International Hate Crimes and I just stumbled across "Bill's Story". I found it incredibly moving, and I just wanted to say,"I'm sorry." You should be proud to of had such a remarkable son, I am sure you are. A message to "Reverend" (!) Donald Spitz: Sorry it's taken so long to write, but hearing Gabi talk about Bill on "Rikki Lake" the other day gave me the impetus. Bill and I went *way* back--I was the godfather at his christening--but I'd lost touch with the Claytons for over 15 years. I'm sad that I never had the chance to see little Bill grow up, but I'm sadder that I didn't have the chance to help him cope with his newfound sexuality. He'll always have a special place in my heart, and I can only hope that "Bill's Story" and the subsequent messages from gays, lesbians, and their families and friends from around the world will help other teens understand that there's always someone who will listen and love them for who they are. Intolerance needs to stop, your story proves this to be true. Why won't people stop the hate? I saw one of your posting on PFlag-digest and was surprised to see that you lived to so close to me - in fact until June, I also lived in Lacey. I have sent to PFlag to try and find a local PFlag - no response yet, so maybe you can let me know whn the meetings are, etc. My son is gay, he's 30 and lives in Oly - has lived in Seattle and lived the life. My daughter and I love and support him and would like to do more to show our support. Enjoyed your site - continue to speak - it helps. There are so many gay lovers out there, Hi everyone. As I mentioned in the warning I added above about the hate entries, I recently also received a couple of hate mails. They were pretty shocking, and my response was to tell friends and share them -- and try to figure out what to do. Steve S. suggested that I send them to the people at Bridges Across the Divide. I did that and the response from them is now up on the web at Gabi's Hate Mail and Terminal Homophobia. Every attack makes us stronger. As horrible as it is to realize that hate is so prevalent and strong, these people isolate themselves by their fervor and lack of compassion and love. People who think will see through that and, if fact, it is because of people like that who espouse hate that an anti-discrimination law was passed in a Republican controlled House in Minnesota and signed by a Republican Governor. One of the Representatives who voted for it is a conservative Lutheran Minister who never believed that Gays were truly targets of hate until he was elected and witnessed first hand what was written and what was done. It turned a "no" vote into a "yes" vote. These people are desparate Gabi because they have lost the ability to love, the ability to focus on the good in others. Their motivation stems from a desire to control others, a desire to "rule" and they do it all in God's name. What they do not realize is that they are very weak and with each attack, they make people of conscience very strong. They say "A little learning is a dangerous thing" and so it is.These people cram a few lines from the bible or Quran and think of themselves as the world's saviours! I think God has many other important things to do other than worrying about who is gay or who is heterosexual, under Him everybody is the same.Hate itself is a crime aginst humanity. Gabi, you have my sincere respects for trying to make this world a better place to live. May Bill be happy wherever he is. Gabi, just wanted to say how sorry I am both for your loss and the hate mail you have received. Whatever one's convictions about homosexuality, the spewing forth of hatred is unwarrented. Those who do so may claim to be Christian, but they miss out on the core requirement. "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, that you have love one for another." I'm a shocked homosexual.I live in Belgium.Here, the greater part of of the persons think that homosexual = pedophile.Every day I have to suffer of the stupid thing of the other.In our "new tolerant society", where is the respect of the person ? There is racism everywhere. i would just like to say that i stumbled on your page by accident vis a vie another webpage. i think your message it very heartrendering and i am so sorry for waht you have gone through. it must be a great loss to you and the world to lose a special person. like your son, i was lucky to have such special and accepting parents, and have led an easy accepting life, but im sure its a false sense of security. i would just like to say that you and your family are one in a million and that your email has made tugged at my strings Hi Gabi, Wish I'd seen you on the Rikki Lake Show. Sorry I missed that. Wow, I can't believe the sick people flaming you in your Guestbook. How unsurprising it is though that they can hardly spell. I doubt many of them have read the Bible anyway. They seem to know the scripture quotes, but not what they really mean. The Bible doesn't say homosexual activity is a sin. Anybody who wants to condemn gay folks will have to use some tool other than the Holy Bible to find fuel for their homophobia. The writers of the bible seem very unconcerned with same-sex attraction. Jesus said nothing of it at all! You know, Gabi, according to the Bible, the sin of Sodom was inhospitality to strangers and not taking care of poor people. Jude says that the people of Sodom went after "strange flesh" which often refers to angels. Five commonly used proof-texts which homphophobes use to condemn homosexuality do not even refer to homosexuality itself in the original Hebrew or Greek. Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13, Romans 1:27, 1 Corinthians 6:9, and 1 Timothy 1:10 are talking about male prostitution, men taking the inferior role (subservient female position,) temple prostitution, and origies. The cultish orgies condemned by Paul dealt with both gay and non-gay behavior. So actually, when the hate-mongers visit your page and throw the name, "Sodomite" around they are describing themselves. An actual Sodomite is a person who treats strangers rudely, according to the Bible! i would like to thank you for this webpage it is not only moving but it is also going to be the source of a project i do in school on pet peeves in this project i have to represent a problem i have and i was looking up violence and the title of you're page caught my eye i feel this will be on of the best and most moving projects i've ever done and i would like to thank the makers of this webpage. Dear Gabi My dearest Gabi: I cannot believe the this world works.I just happen to be bi- and am very proud or it with a very loving girlfriend. Thanks for the page. It all seemed so close to me for many different reasons. I am currently a pediatric nurse on the navajo reservation and openly gay. Since highschool I have worked with children. My hope has always been to promote a safe world for children. For year I worked with children in a group home. At the time I was 19-20 and was not clear on my sexuality. But oh those kids were. they knew me and sawt me out for nonjudgemental help, just a little acceptance (this was Alabama). I would tell people that these children were gay and needed senstive people to help them develope healthy ideas about themselve and their sexuality. It was almost always shrugged off. It was like saying that it was ok for them to be miserable. These children were expected to accept no help. It was just a sick way of condemning them in what was supposed to be a healing/helping environment. Since that time, I have made a point not to lie to children about my sexuality in hopes that they'll see someone safe to confide in, and maybe they do. GABI Gabi, I would first like to say that I am sorry Gabi, I just want to say hello from one grieving mom of a gay son to another. Someday I'll get my Bob's page put together, but until then I will continue to hold him in my heart. And you too. And all the moms and dads out there who've lost their children because of hate, fear, and ignorance. This world is hard, and life's lessons are not always easy, but there is hope to be found in your webpage and in many other memorials I've seen. In my heart I know that people and times will change for the better eventually. All God's creation is good, but it is slow to mature and requires much nurturing. Your page helps this happen. Thanks. May God bless you and your family. I really enjoyed reading this story it really moved me as I am a struggling young adult myself. Thank you for sharing this. Keep speaking out! As I wipe the tears from my eyes...I can only say "Thank You" and "God Bless You" for sharing!! I would like your permission to use some of Bill's story with the groups of people I speak with at the schools at support centers here in San Diego. Hi Gabi and THANKS for "Bill's Story"! I Dear Gabi, thank you for sharing the story of your son with us. I am touched and appalled in stages. I consider myself fortunate and lucky to have several gay men in my life, most of whom are loved and accepted by their families and communities. However, it is these relationships that have increased my awareness of prejudice and hatred toward homosexuals, and strengthened my resolve to do anything I can to help create "safe places". I manage a youth performing group, and have had three male teens come out to me this year: word is spreading that I am good to talk to. :-) But I am constantly seeking support and advice, because this is new to me, and have much appreciated the stories and resources you have shared on your page. Hey Gabi, I'd like to say that Bill's story has touched my heart deeper than any other page I have read on the internet yet. I live in a very small town, and though I'm not openly bisexual the people here still seem to know. I am constantly abused with horrible comments and threats of physical violence. I'd like to say your son was strong to able to come out like he did. I'd also like to say that you are wonderful parents for accepting him as your son, I only wish mine were equally as accepting. I was deeply touched by this story. I am bisexual, but lucky enough not to have suffered nearly as much as your son Bill because of it. I have just moved to this country from the UK - Bill's story has, I think, given me the courage to come out on this side of the Altantic (I was always Out and Proud back home). Thank you for sharing his - and your - story, he was lucky to have such wonderful parents. Reading this I feel nothing but sorrow. I just wonder why we have to live in a world of hate. I admire you for telling this story. Bill's story reminds me of a poem I read called "First They Came for the Jews" in the book of Holocaust Poetry by Pastor Niemoller. In it, he writes: "First they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out, because I was not a Jew. Then they came for the Communists, and I did not speak out, because I was not a Communist. Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out, because I was not a Trade Unionist. Then they came for me..and there was no one left..to speak out for me." Bill's story reminds me of a poem I read called "First They Came for the Jews" in the book of Holocaust Poetry by Pastor Niemoller. In it, he writes: "First they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out, because I was not a Jew. Then they came for the Communists, and I did not speak out, because I was not a Communist. Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out, because I was not a Trade Unionist. Then they came for me..and there was no one left..to speak out for me." Bill was one of my best ever friends and I will always miss him. Thank you for putting this page up. i dont know what to write....all i can say is that bills story really touched me.....he was a brave guy...... I read with tears the story of your son, his strength, and you and your families courage to not let it go. that was a tragic story. i'm sorry that your son died the way he did. i was in tears when i read this story! that was a tragic story. i'm sorry that your son died the way he did. i was in tears when i read this story! gabi I am doing some research on gay civil rights for my government class, and I stumbled across "bills story". It really hits home, growing up gay was/is not easy in a society that allows one group use their constitutional rights to deny another theirs. I am greatly disturbed to see some of the ignorant responses here. "kkk=jesus"-what is that about? I wish you the best and my prayers are with your son...I really hope that people can read bills story and see that there is a great lack in applying the 14th amendment to all citizens. "equal protection" good luck to you love always jerry Thank you!!!!!! Thank You!!! What a wonderful informative site! I'm sitting in the computer lab at my university crying. What an amazing young man. I would just like to express how proud I am that there are parents like you and your husband in this world. Luckily my family has been really great since I came out to them two years ago (I'm 20). Many teenagers, though, not only have to deal with hatred in the community they have to return to it each day either listening in silence as their family berates gays, or deciding to speak up and ultimately get kicked out onto the street. bless you, Gabi. Gabi..Your page..Well there isn't a word to describe thats how good it was..I sat and read it with tears in my eyes...And I wished there were more people out there that were like you...That understood us all..You are one GREAT person..((((((hugs)))))) I usually don't write in guestbooks like this, but this page touched me like no other has before. Even though I did not know your son, I could feel the raw emotion through this webpage. Thank you for trying to spread the word against hate, trying to help other people. "The greatest support for gay rights comes from the world seeing who its opponents are." Hi Gabi, I just visited The Safe Schools project homepage. Had to stop in and tell you how proud I am of you. You should feel proud, too, of the great work you've done. I know that Bill must be very proud, too. Love and hugs, I was very shocked to read your heartbreaking story about your son Bill. Although I personally have not been the victim of hate crimes, I do hope to help in the fight by my actions and deed. Thank you for sharing your story. STOP!!! I would like to say thank you for sharing that story with the world, i know it must of been hard for you to do so, i am 21 and gay and have been through my fair share of homophobic behavour, i guess i wish that one day people will stop being so hatefull and hurtfull and stop hurting so many people, i'm thinking of you and if there is anything i can do please e mail me or look at my college pages www.chelt.ac.uk |