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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 11/17/97. 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.
Below is the link to the doorway page for the Safe Schools Coalition. I posted the new 4th Annual Safe Schools Report "Will you be there for every child?" and their new Safe Schools Resource Guide this last Wednesday (November 12, 1997). Just wanted to let everyone know. On the doorway page there are also links to last year's report and my local chapter's webpage.
Gabi, your tribute to Bill so moved me... how could it not have? Hope you don't mind that I have linked your story on my home page because I think it's so important for everyone to experience. Bill -- and you -- have left a legacy that this country so desperately needs to learn.
Gabi, your writings of Bill were so touching. Although I have never met you or your son, I have tears in my eyes for the pain you have both suffered. The courage and strength you display in sharing your story with all of us is amazing, and I can only hope that in telling it, you are finding some sense of peace and healing.
wonderful story, your'e a great mom, God bless.
Gabi,
I am not gay, but I have been fighting in my own school in Kentucky. Stories like Bill's touch me and make me realize the deep hatred of society toward anything different. It must stop.
I am going to print it and read it
I came across this page while looking desperately for some online resources to put on my homepage for people suffering from hate crimes, since I just had to help a student in the very first class I've ever taught who's dealing with death threats for being Chinese. Many, many prayers for Bill--I'm bi, I'm pagan, I've had my own share of harassment but nothing this horrible. It made me cry.
I too would like to thank you for this site. It is truly amazing to me that I am alive to read it. About the time I started getting harrassed in school (1st grade) I started wanting to die and have tried more than once. Now age 27 I am still trying to work through all that insanity i went through. Gradually the self hatred is waning. Very gradually. Your page helps me to remember that I am not alone and that it wasn't all in my head and in my lack of ability to cope. This is real and it hurts. I am so sad that people like your son have had to go the route he did. But thanks to you maybe just one less person will have to.
Thank you for what you have done for your son
You have no idea how much I can relate with Bills' story. I myself am bi and I nearly wound up commiting suicide shortly after I came out. I deeply regret that he did commit suicide, but I am, morbid as it may sound, happy to see that I am not alone.
I have enjoyed reading what was written and at the same time am sadden at the intolerance in this society. My father is openly gay and it has been a stuggle. I'll pray for your family and Bill as I do for my dad and others
Your son's story moved me, and I only hope that people can learn that we are not monsters, only human, like the rest of the world. If this can happen through people reading of Bill's experience, then he will not have died in vain. Take care....
Thank you for having the courage to tell your story. Love is stronger than hate.
Thank you for sharing this tragic story. If any good can come out of such a painful loss perhaps it will be that someone will be moved to speak up. Silence kills beautiful people like your son Bill.
Gabi,
I stumbled upon this incredibly moving story whilst searching the internet for artist homepages, and through the links found and read it.
Just another statistic. And that is the truly sad part of your sons death. But, by your, and your family, and many friends, supporters, and 'his' memory, I hope an pray, that someday soon, there may be no more such statistics to read of. Hate, whether mouthed with religion as the back up, or simply hate unbridled, must never be allowed to run free. Your home page, and the many others, show that love is still the most powerful force on this earth. I believe it!!!
My heart is heavy for your loss...being an out lesbian, I can understand your son's point--but being a mother, I also see yours, and understand it. God's blessings to you always.
Gabi, thank you for sharing your story.
Finding my biological mother in Olympia ten years ago, I understand what caring people you have in Washington. If you guys can't start to change the way people think, no one can! Keep fighting to stop the hate!
I know how hard it is to have people degrade a person for their bisexual friends. My best friend is bisexual and he is so caring...full of life. People are always making rude comments toward him. It really bothers me alot. I am sorry.
I truly believe that angels live among us to teach us how to love one another. It is clear to me that your son was one of this magical beings who transformed your life and an entire community. Unfortunaley, they have to return to where they belong (heaven) and make us think about their mission on earth. Please accept my sympathies and my respects to you and your family. I certanly will encourage my loved ones to help in any way they can to end this senseless fight against people who society considers "different".
"The temmple bell stops
What a shame that hatred and bigotry claimed another life. Your webpage is both heartwrenching and inspiring. While I cried when reading about the pain and suffering, I smiled knowing that this webpage will help others. Best wishes.
Gabi, what a supportive mother you are. It's incredible that there is such ignorance and hatred in our world. I know that no measure of words can ease the pain of the loss of Bill. perhaps this will enable people to wake up and realize that we all have to live together and learn how to love one another. God Bless You!
thank you for bill's beautiful, but tragic story. wish i could've known him. am joining you in trying to educate my children re this subject. thank you again and may God bless you and your family.
thank you
I have just read Bill's story and I am writing thru tears so forgive any mis-spellings. I was deeply touched. I have been the victim of a hate crime only once. It was not that emotionally scarring for me...I thought. A couple of years later I was in therapy for depression. I had started to hate myself for being gay. I had become a homophobe even though I was a gay man. It was all inwardly directed. Thanks to a kind therapist who really didn't understand gay people but was willing to accept anyway, I got better. I am still working on it but I am coming out and I now like myself, a lot. Thank you for your continued effort to educate the world about orientation. Bill's words from his journal, (in my words) "I didn't choose it, it wasn't forced on me, it just is" Say it all.
I AM SORRY. IT MUST BE HORRIBLE TO LOSE A FAMILY MEMBER. ONCE AGIAN, I AM SORRY. VIOLENCE SHOULD BE STOPED. MAYBE BILL'S STORY WILL HELP AND TEACH US.
Hi Gabi - I'm a 38 year old lesbian. I'm living the outward life of happiness. I've been the perfect kid all my life and I'm accepted by everyone for who I am, but . . . Those not walking in someone else's shoes for a day can't understand what it's like to grow up feeling ashamed for something that "just is."
My heart goes out to you. I am a 26 year old woman who finally came out after a two year marriage to a man. I tried to be what we are all "supposed" to be. I cannot agree with your son more..."It is not my choice. It is not forced upon me. It just is." Not liking a person because of their sexual orientation is as wrong as not liking them because they have brown eyes...we are made the way we are for a reason. The world needs more parents like you...parents who love, accept and support their children for who they are. We must all band together and fight the ignorance...until the hatred comes to a peaceful end.
Gabi-
The human race is a remarkable creature, one with great potential. I truly believe this in hopes that people will learn from the poignant story about your son Bill.
Gabi - Every time I visit your sight and read the guestbook, I'm filled with so many emotions. I feel so heartened by the many people who write in response and who show their support. The love from all around the world comes through on your home page.
Dear Gabi,
It is difficult to say any word after reading your page, difficult to invoke God, even when christian, in front of such hate that made life impossible for a youth. the only word could be "Courage" and I surely shall remember bill. Patrick
Thank you for sharing your experiences and fighting the hate and the silence. Our society needs to change and develop a healthy attitude about all sexualities. I believe this change will come about because of people and families like you. During this process you have also helped me to understand myself and those in my life who are other than heterosexual. Thank you again.
Gabi and Family
I cired when I read your story about your son, Bill. I am a good deal older than BIll was, but I am just now coming to terms with being gay. While I have never experienced a hate crime as he did, I share his feelings of being alone in the world, a member of a hated group, simply because of who I am. Thoughts of suicide are constantly with me; as Bill said, "I am just tired of coping." I have printed Bill's story and will read it frequently when suicidal thoughts begin to overwhelm me. Thank you for sharing your story with me.
I want to thank you for having the courage to post the story of your son's life and death on the internet. I hope it is a learning experience for anyone who has ever had a mean though against a gay/lesbian/bisexual person.
Your story has made me cry for the last ten minutes. I can't understand why people hate other people because they are bi-sexual or gay. I think by spreading this story, you can help curb the homophobia in our society. I feel that ignorant and uneducated people need to be enlighten by stories like this is understand, what they are doing is wrong.
Ok i just found thru steve's I'm just abouta start read'n
Its a little odd to sign my own guestbook, but I want to wish everyone a happy new year! It's hard to believe that it is 1998 now, but I guess it is.
Thank you so much for telling your story, and may the Gods and Goddesses be with you and your son. I have been talking online with an 18 year old Christian struggling with his sexuality...I will be sure to refer him to your page.
god bless you and may the good lord
Dear Gabi and Alec,
How wonderful of you share this story.
I cried.. for your son Bill, for you and your family and because what was written needed to be written. It's a tragedy that we need appease the hate and hostility in this world just so we can LIVE.
I'm so sorry!!!! And dont you guys think that Bill is a stud??
Thank you for sharing your story. I was introduced to your web page by Bob Watson, a friend who has been good enough to keep many people informed about Ram Dass since his stroke a year ago.
~~GrEeTiNgS oF PeAcE~~
I happened upon your tribute by accident and found myself overwhelmed with grief,utter sadness and hope. This is certainly a profound effort that memorializes your son with such dignity and compassion. I was touched. Your son was very lucky to have had such wonderful parents. I'll never get to meet him but, he will be missed and the world seems less beautiful without him. Thank you for sharing him with us.
I wonder if you know how far your awful ordeal has touched...and in this way done great good I think. "Bill's Story" came to my attention only because I subscribe to a listserve about the health of the spiritual leader, Ram Dass, following his stroke last year. I am an openly gay man but I had to hear about this tragedy only in this roundabout way. Thank you for having whatever it takes to spread this all over the internet. I know it will help. My prayers are for you and your family. I know they will heal you in time.
I find it hard to tell you how deeply moved I am by your webpage. It brought up many painful memories of my own, for I too was an openly bisexual teen. I somehow made it through those difficult years but the scars are deeper than I had ever imagined. Bill's story opened up feelings that I have pushed deep inside me. I thank you for telling this sad and, I'm sure, very difficult story. I feel that Bill's story has allowed me to grieve not only for another wonderful human being lost to us but also for my own pain and years of fear and shame. Thankyou.
As a high school teacher, the sister of an out gay man (lost to AIDS complications in 1994), the spiritual sister of many of Stuart's friends, and a member of the board of GLSEN-CT, I congratulate you on your choice of memorial. There is no finer way to honor Bill than to fight to save every other "Bill" out there. Know that I join you in your fight, as does PLAHD-- People Leading Against Homophobic Discrimination, an education group founded and led by students at Amity Regional #5 High School in Woodbridge, CT. I am the adviser. The group began in 1992 in response to gay-bashing affecting a young woman. Her friends rallied around her and the group was born. I shall share Bill's story with PLAHD. Again, thank you, and may the Is bless you.
Just read Bill's story and it touched in me ways I am not sure I can adequately describe. I am now 27 and a quite out and proud gay man, but I remember the teen years only too well. I myself spent many of those years sucidal and am still not sure to this day how I got to this point alive and proud of who I am. Thank you for your compassion towards my community. I guess I should really say everyones community whether they choose to accept us or not. Thank you for sharing your sons life with us. As short as his life may have been it was obviously filled with lots of meaning. If nothing else maybe it will save another teen going through similiar circumstances. Because of people like you and your family maybe some day people will see despite what we do behind close doors we are not any different then the rest of the world and just want the same things they do out of life. Peace be with you in 98'.
You are a wonderful mother!!! I wish all parents reacted the way you did when your son told you that he was bisexual. I am not lesbian or bisexual although I have many friends who are, and I support and love everyone of them. After all they did not choose to be that way, they were born that way. Good luck with the fight against hate crimes.
Most moving. An eloquent and moving epitaph to a son who is obviously still much loved.
I have just finished reading your story. As I look through your guestbook I am truly filled with sadness as I realize how many people are going through this same experience. I went through the same thing when I was 14 and have been working through it for years. I thank you for putting into words what I have been feeling all these years. I know that this will never fill the place of your loss but thank you for putting your story out there for people to read!
I hope you don't mind but I have linked this page to my own homepage as I feel it is an important story! If you want me to delete let me know. Again my heart goes out to you all!
I am parent of two sons also. The difference is I came out to them when they were 16 & 18. They're response was, "Aw dad we already knew. It makes no difference." Years earlier when my mother heard the rumor she came to my house with a gun to confront me. Last year she was with me during a publicly unsolicited confrontation (the earring thing) and came to my defense. If all parents could see Bill's pain in their own children maybe they would stop teaching hate at home and teach tolerance instead. Thanks from all of us and tomorrow's children for your efforts.
Accept the things to which fate binds you, and love the people with whom fate brings you together, but do so with all your heart.
Dear Ms. Gabi,
God bless.
I have read this story, I understand and feel very angry that most parents and families cannot be as supportive as you were with your son. You did all that you could do to save yet the hate mongers of this world took away the most precious gift that god could give to a family... A Child.... The light that we leave to shine in this world.
Bill must be very proud of all of you! And, I thank you for the presentation. All of us, Gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, heterosexual, we all need to know how deep and how far hate will take us. God Bless all of you, you are in our prayers,
What a terrible ordeal; I'm sorry you had to go through any of it. Thank you for writing such a moving story. I hope that it will serve its purpose and put an end to this nonsense. God bless you.
Very moving story, I don't know what else to say. I came across your page researching links for a set of pages I'm putting together on homo/bisexuality here in Maine, where we are facing a "people's veto" of our new gay rights law. We want people to vote "No" on Feb. 10 to not repeal the law, so that people like Bill at least cannot be legally discriminated against in housing, employement, and so on. More information can be found from my homepage. Thank you for sharing Bill's story with us.
Though I've been "out" for twelve years now, since I was 16, I think I've never found a proper outlet for the rage I feel at others' hatred. To me, hatred can be as subtle as a vote against a public school's idea to include gay tolerance education in their curriculum, to the beatings I've endured as have my friends, to the terrible and not-uncommon tragedy that happened to your son.
Gabi, I'm so saddened by your loss, but overwhelmed by your courage. You are truly a hero. Stay Strong!
You've created a great thing. I agree, education is the best tool against ignorance, prejudice, hatred, phobias... As a very tolerant, straight male, you have my support.
i am so touched by the story of your son
I just surfed aross this website. I am so deeply touched and I cann't think rihgt now. However, what I really want to tell you is that justice will finally come to this nation, and no any discrimination should survive under our democracy. Please stay strong. All people in the world with good hearts are standing behind you. All of them will remeber Bill and your great efforts of supporting your son and the equality for gay/bi/trans people. Justice will come finally. Stay strong.
Hi Gabi,
As a survival of harrassments, I am not gay, but I can understand the feelings Bill had went through. We must put an end to hatred of all sorts of diversity from racism, anti-semetism, and homophobia. Martin Luther King had a dream and a dream for all people to get along in a world without hatred. You are a crusader. And I would someday would like my child to go to school without harrassment. In fact I would like to see all children to be taught the ways of diversity at an early age. My heart goes out to you Gaby.
I was sent your story by a friend and was very saddened to hear of one so young a victim of such a hateful act. In a world where innocence is lost so early it seems hate also casts a darker shadow on our youth. I'm sorry for your loss.. God Bless.
Thank you for a beautiful, touching, although heartbreaking story. I am a high school teacher recently made aware of the problems of gay/lesbian teens. Your story inspires me to learn more and begin doing more to help teenagers and make society more aware and tolerant.
We are very saddened and touched by your loss. kate has cried and i have almost. we just want you to know not everyone is "homophobic" and our prayers are with you. Bill's story, i'm sure has changed the lives of many people. |