A friend on Facebook notified me this evening of a troubling Craigslist ad he came across in Los Angeles.
In the ad, a mom or dad is selling their son’s computer because he wants to get the newest version of the Macbook. They go on to explain that they’re not spoiling their son with this new laptop, quite the contrary-because their son was caught engaging in “homosexual acts,” this was his reward for claiming he would choose to be straight.
I’ve written to the person who placed the ad and it’s quite possible that the ad is a hoax. But if for some reason, this young man’s mother finds me through the blog, I wanted to share two important facts and some helpful resources with her.
1. Being gay is not a choice.
2. 1 out of every 4 teen suicides is a gay teen. Among the leading causes of those suicides is a lack of family acceptance.
Family Acceptance Project will help you find ways to treat your son with the respect and love that he deserves.
Visit the Prayers for Bobby site and learn a little something about a Mom who felt the same way you did, and how she feels now that her son is gone.
Then again, it is the new Macbook…I’d probably tell my parents I was straight too if I was going to get a free Macbook. This also may indeed be a hoax, but having a career in knowing about social media trends, new media and how it’s used– the red flags about the danger a kid may be in outweighed the possible red flags of being embarrassed by a craigslist hoax.
UPDATE:
I did receive a response from the poster and have confirmed an address in the correct location. Their response stated:
“I regret to inform you that I will not be calling you. I don’t need for you or anyone else to have my number. Not after all the hatred and threats I’ve gotten.”
I replied with some helpful information, including some of what I have here in the blog post. I have yet to receive a response.
UPDATE 2:
I’ve now done a great deal of research and this story has now been posted on dozens of other sites so, here’s the story…
Talk About Equality 