aTypical Joe: a gay New Yorker living in the rural South
Thursday, June 16, 2005
Love in Action v Zach :’(
Window Media’s got the Zach :’( story this week, complete with photo. Which raises some issues. Shortly after my post I got an email that read in part:
I’m sure we’re all glad to see the blogosphere reacting to get Zach’s story out and hope something good can come from publicizing the plight he shares with too many people in this country.
Unfortunately, as I read & watched the coverage, I was gripped by a sudden horror that the folks at LIA/Refuge (whatever bullshit inaccurate name they
use to call themselves) could decide to make Zach an example...We’ve already helped put his identity out there (with the best of intentions), but based on the following, maybe we can broaden our future discussion of the topic to address at risk teens and additional programs.
The email asked that I remove the link to Zach :’( ‘s blog. I understood the request, and considered it seriously. A technorati search made up my mind. That particular genie was already out of the bottle.
I’m not as concerned that LIA/Refuge will make an example of him; I think they know that would make their unpopular position more so. But I am concerned that young Zach :’( is coming home now and the media attention will not help. We can’t really know what’s going on in that family.
I don’t think we want a Schiavo-style family saga. Zach :’( is a real person that personifies a real serious issue. The issue needs to be dealt with differently than the person. Be aware of what happens to the person, and be careful not to exploit him in the name of an issue.
Love In Action had a press conference today (news report / transcript / blog). It will provide plenty of ammunition for serious debate. And legal advocacy. Now that they’ve come out (in a manner of speaking), focusing on Love In Action’s John J. Smid and Steve Rice is the best way to help Zach :’( and all the other young people like him.
I’m sure there’s plenty to work with there. (Smid, “I am someone who has lived a life of immoral sexual behavior involved in inappropriate homosexual relationships.") We don’t have to, and should be careful not to, run with old and questionable quotes like “suicide is better than homosexuality” until they are definitively proved.
For how you can help, Mike Ditto has some suggestions. Tomorrow is the last day of the local Queer Action Coalition protest.
