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Touching photograph captured by Brandon Staton of Humans of New York
A touching photograph snapped by Human of New York Brandon Stanton rapidly went viral, drawing supportive messages from Hillary Clinton and Ellen DeGeneres.
The photograph captures a tormented youth. His torment and uncertainty indeed reach out from the photograph and tell a story of how precarious stability can be when one is different.
The youth is homosexual, and the caption of the photograph reads:
“I’m homosexual and I’m afraid about what my future will be and that people won’t like me.”
Shortly after Pride parades took over the U.S. in a short glow of glory and the U.S. Supreme Court ruled same-sex marriage constitutional, this photograph came as a stark reminder that all is not set in stone and LGBTQ community faces a bundle of tormenting hurdles.
Overwhelming as Brandon Staton’s photograph is, it quickly drew a high number of sympathetic comments. One of them reads:
“If you were my son, I’d love you just the same. And I’d be the proudest dad for you having the courage to admit it to yourself and the world”.
The photograph became viral within 24 hours, having been liked 530,000 times, shared by 47,000 people and harboring thousands of messages.
Among them, Hillary Clinton left a heart-warming encouragement:
“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”.
Ellen DeGeneres also took to Humans of New York Facebook page to write:
“Not only will people like you, they will love you. I just heard of you and I love you already.”
Humans of New York is a vast collection of often viral photographs that pinpoint life in New York City. An inspiration throughout the world, if often offers viewers a glimpse of less attention catching moments, faces, emotions.
This single photograph of the gay youth is a rare gem in the impressive collection boasting on the page. Perhaps more attention worthy than others, it should recall that the LGBTQ community is not different from the rest of us.
Except maybe that LGBTQ youth is statistically more prone to self-inflicted harm. Trevor Project reports state that LGBTQ young people are four times more likely to attempt suicide than straight youth.
To this extent, any glimpse of hope and sympathy, even when received via a Facebook page like Humans of New York can go a long way.
Image Source: cmgdigital.com
