The Ending Gets Sadder for Eighth-Grader Larry King
The boy who was slain by another student for being gay still cannot rest today.
His family has filed suit against the school district and Ventura county for failing to protect him by enforcing their dress codes. Larry liked to wear high heels, make up and jewelry with his school uniform. According to his parents, the school knew he was vulnerable because of this, but refused to protect him or make him comply with dress regulations and therefore are culpable in his murder.
By law, schools are not required to lay down the dress code hammer. From a legal standpoint this suit will probably get thrown out before having its day.
Is the school responsible for the way your child dresses? Or did teachers and staff know that threats were made against Larry? And if they did, were reasonable precautions taken to keep him safe? Does it matter? Either way Larry isn't here to wear his make up and high heels.
One life gone, another ruined. The problem isn't that Larry was gay or that anyone on staff or at home didn't stop him from dressing up, the problem is intolerance and bigotry.
While the court tries to settle who's responsible, the obvious answer is whoever taught the killer that being gay is wrong to the point that someone should die because of it. This isn't a lesson in any geography book or art class. Hate is taught at home and tolerated elsewhere because most of us lack courage.
Maya Angelou says that while love, grace, tolerance, compassion are all important, none of them can be practiced consistently without a foundation built on courage.
Larry King knew all about courage. This brave little boy in high heels. It's too bad the adults in his life were such cowards.
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