Joel Burns discusses his "It Gets Better" city council speech on NPR's All Things Considered

[46619TAB]

I am a Gay man living in the bible thumping state of Indiana. I'm also unemployed but I sent a check to support his re-election campaign. The USA needs MORE people like this guy serving ALL of the people!!!!!

[SeattleRexx]

I just love how these pathetic little bigots that hide in the shadows of the Internet are beside themselves with panic that their hate and ignorance are being laughed at by the majority of America!! When they post these hateful comments-we see the true vision of their hearts....cold, lonely and isolated...we pity them because they are destined to live a life of empty,bitter desperation.

[Ganzerino]

1,5 millions of views isnt't enough

[whitefriars15]

this bloke is amazing  !!!

[Lubecyamhead]

I am so moved by his testimony, and his powerful courage to speak out publicly. Anytime a person, child or teenager is targeted for being different, we all suffer from threat of violence for being perceived as "different"!> We are meant to be the different, unique, special, loving humans in the garden of Life, gay, straight, just human beings well-loved. Joel Burns is my hero now.

[Rumpelstiltskinsky]

A real hero, I can't praise him enough. Good luck and I hope this starts to educate peop-le on a deeper level for something which is fairly easy to understand - love, not hate.

[jchesson]

I would Vote for Joel Burns...He is a true Hero...

[snager80]

I live in Joel Burns Metroplex. I'd consider moving a town over, just for the opportunity to vote for him.

[michaelmemek]

BOO HOOO. The issue is about the bullying despite sex preference not about bulyying against gay people. Let's address the bullying and parents need to be proactive in educating themselves and their kids. It seems like gays like Joel Burns is crying again because he feels that the world need to become acceotance towards gays. How do you realistically expect a young teen to do that? Teens are nasty and they don't get homosexuality. But homosexuality is not the issue.

[FuzzyElf]

@michaelmemek How to tell a teen about simply accepting that people are different, instead of torturing them for it? I suggest you start by not showing a cold-hearted, hateful, ugly attitude about it yourself. Maybe if you study compassion, you can start to understand it a little, instead of making fun of people, and trivializing important matters, with things like "BOO HOOO."

[MissAsha69]

Come on people you may disagree. But we are all HUMAN BEINGS. We all deserve to be loved, to be heard. I don't care if your gay or straight I don't want to see my fellow human being suffering. And dear god not a child!! When I look at this I don't see a "gay man". But a person who is suffering and trying to get a vital message across to OUR children . "LIFE GETS BETTER." And to every heart beating person, please spread LOVE not hate it's unhealthy and not to mention sometimes deadly!"

[samspg]

Joel Burns is a hero. He is brave beyond measure. He told not just a few stories of a few children that has suffered.....multipy the few by millions of children and adults of the same struggle living in a world where hate is an acceptable family value. As they say the apple doesn't fall to far from the tree. The first teacher is the family. Isnt it time we hold parents of bullies accountable for thier childrens behavior? There should be a law!!!!!!

[covenstead]

@samspg -- I get a real "kick out of" these ignoramuses who just can't face the fact that a certain percentage of human beings are born "gay," and that's that.

[Ganzerino]

@samspg thats one of the majour issues on public schools, today. The fact that the kids can do whatever they want, and noone is asked explanations is what keeps society from evolving in this matter. I actually spoke to my teacher's to try and make them go to the principle, to start considering policy's that make parents accountable for the bad behavior, wheter this reflects on school property, or on bullying, and so on. The school finished for summer, but i sincerely they'll do it.