David Williams, Editor
The Letter
GAY RIGHTS COMES TO SEYMOUR, INDIANA
[based on a March 13 letter from Rhea Murray to David and Judy Burton; used by permission]
Until the 1990s, Seymour, Indiana was better known as the hometown of John Cougar Mellencamp, popular rock star of the 80s. But thanks to the efforts of one courageous family, it may soon become known as a center for the gay and lesbian movement in southern Indiana.
About four years ago, Bruce Murray, then 13, came out to his parents after suffering intense harassment and even death threats at school because of his homosexuality. Eventually, for his own safety, his parents pulled him out and began teaching him at home. Their struggle was picked up by a Louisville television station, which concealed their identities at their own request. But since then his parents, Butch and Rhea, have become more open and have now taken on the seemingly impossible task of organizing a P-FLAG chapter in this largely rural area. Though still small, word is spreading of its existence, and it is receiving support from members of Louisville Metro P-FLAG.
For his part, last year Bruce attended a youth training program in California developed by NGLTF. He has also been interviewed by the Philadelphia Daily News. Bruce's story was profiled in March on the front page of his former high school's newspaper. Seniors on its staff interviewed Bruce and his mother. The newspaper also published a sympathetic editorial. Bruce would have been graduating with that class this year.
The Murrays' efforts have met with praise by some, but open hostility and derision by others. The school newspaper article infuriated many in this small town of 15,576 about an hour north of Louisville. The family received a few scary phone calls, and someone passed the article around where Butch works. Butch's former boss said that if he were still supervising him, he would have called him into his office for a talk. (His current boss has no problems with the situation).
On the other hand, Bruce received a beautiful letter of support from a former teacher who felt that Bruce would be a gentle voice to speak out for gay rights. "The letter meant a great deal to our family," Rhea told the Burtons. Their struggles have even been noticed nationally now.
The Murrays have mixed feelings about all the attention. "We feel like it is an excellent opportunity to get the message out that we love our gay children," writes Rhea, but she worries about the reaction it may engender. "I guess we will just put it in God's hands and pray he will give us the courage and strength to deal with the aftermath," she concludes.
The Seymour chapter of P-FLAG may be contacted at xxx/xxx-xxxx.