You're My Home

by Katie Moore

“Zach, this is for you. You’re the strongest person I know, and I’m proud of you every second of every day. I want you to never be ashamed of who you are because you have the most beautiful heart, and anyone would be lucky to be even a fraction of the person you are.” Oh my God, he’s standing in front of all these people for me. Avery takes my hand as Brady continues. “As you all have probably seen the video, you know that two students were bullied this week. One for being gay and one for trying to stop the bullying. Bullied by guys that were bigger and stronger than them. “How many times have you heard someone cutting another student down? How many times have you seen someone shove a student or bully them? How many times have you done nothing? We all do nothing because we don’t want to be the next target. We all do nothing because we don’t want to stand up alone. “Bullies are cowards that have to cut another person down to make themselves feel better. They aren’t better than us, and no one should have to come to school being scared of what might happen…of whether or not they will be judged for what they wear or how they look.” I glance around the stadium, and every student is transfixed by Brady. “As for being bullied because you’re gay…it sickens me. Aren’t we the generation that vows to stop homophobia? Aren’t we the generation that is inclusive and proud to accept every person regardless of gender or sexual orientation? Aren’t we the generation that can change the narr...