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If you need reminding that sometimes the internet can be a wonderful place, check out this viral Facebook post from “Humans of New York” that has created an outpouring of love and support for a gay teenager – including comments from Hillary Clinton and Ellen DeGeneres.
Yesterday New York photographer Brandon Stanton, the guy behind “Humans of New York” which features portraits of anonymous, everyday people, posted this photograph of a tearful teenager with the caption, “I’m homosexual and I’m afraid about what my future will be and that people won’t like me.”
The post has been “liked” hundreds of thousands of times and gathered more than 46,000 comments telling this boy just how loved he is.
In a long, deeply personal comment, Patrick Dunn said:
“I figured out I was gay at 13, and genuinely thought I was the only boy on the planet who was wired to like other boys. The loneliness and fear this boy feels is all too familiar to me. That was me, once. […] Be brave. Hang in there. You are not alone. We are here, and so are you.”
Deena Kerfoot Beck said:
“As a mom and a Christian, this photo is heartbreaking. I hope to never see this amount of sadness in my son’s eyes for any reason. I also hope that those who believe homosexuality is sinful can look at his face and realize this boy didn’t ‘choose’ to be homosexual and feel this sadness. I hope he grows up feeling loved and valued, as every child should.”
The post became so popular that it caught the attention of Democratic presidential candidate and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton:
“Prediction from a grown-up: Your future is going to be amazing. You will surprise yourself with what you’re capable of and the incredible things you go on to do. Find the people who love and believe in you – there will be lots of them.”
Also, this from Ellen DeGeneres, who is probably dying to get this kid on her show:
Not only will people like you, they’ll love you. I just heard of you and I love you already.
