This man was very brave in what he did. He should be lauded for what he did, but there'll be people here who'll call him every bad name in the book. Shame on you all for putting him, and those who committed suicide over the last month, in a bad light.

 Lawrence, love your show.  I am of the opinion that the call made to Anita Hill is just another diversion to keep you from focusing on the misleading messages that are presented by the tea-folks.  You continue to expose the doctored resumes and incorrect information so they had to come up with something. This is just ridulous!

Thank you

Bravo Joel, maybe just one life my be saved. This took courage and good will as well.

To begin I find the emotional plea by City Councilman Joel Burns made to those on the brink extremely courageous. I fully support him. However, one man cannot take on the burden he offers to take on alone. Why are there so few political figures in congress and the senate making similar offers? Why do we have to rely on judges and courts to remind us of the fact that we are all born with the right to self expression?! Who is it that sends these bullies to exercise their power against our youngest and strongest, young students willing to come out. At the age of 25, I myself am slowly coming to terms with what I am. Having the knowledge and ability to come out while in high school is a sign of great personal strength. Accepting the realization that your life will not be the same as your friends, recognizing you won't ever hold your own biological child is an extraordinary price. However we allow cowards without any knowledge of these pains to exercise physical and verbal might against these already vulnerable individuals. How is it that nobody stands up for them in the public school system? I was once of the opinion that teachers were a valuable asset, they have great academic achievements, yet are they cowardly or simply blind to what happens in their hallways and classroom? This is not to say that all teachers fail in their duty to protect our young, I believe many do an outstanding job, however how is it that some students simply suffer in pain without any helping hands!?

It really, really sucks to be a gay teenager in this country.

It usually does get better when you become an adult. There will always be jerks at all ages, but teenagers can be indescribably cruel to each other, and gay teens are especially vulnerable as they haven't yet matured enough mentally to shrug off the idiots.

I don't know if passing laws against bullying is the answer, but I do think it's time as a society to take a stand against this kind of behavior and treat it seriously.

As a gay Christian I use every opportunity to counter what Fred Phelps, Tea Party ignorance, et al have to say. I applaud what councilman Burns said, but many many of us have been screaming to deaf ears for a very long time.

I'm glad that finally the major media, and Lawrence O'Donnell specifically have chosen to shine the glaring light of truth on this terrible and useless loss of young lives.

Even now, if you read the posts on Newsvine and other forums, the amount of vitriol against gay kids is shocking.

Joel, I just want you to know that there are people out there who absolutely, unequivically stand with you. I am a 69 year-old straight white female, and I have a lot of gay friends that I would not trade one minute of the time we share together with anything in this world. I applaud you for your courage. Your heart is as big, if not bigger than Texas. What you are doing will make a big difference. Someone had to step forward. You chose to do that. The world is a better place now because of what you are doing. Bless you and JD.

Courage (which was tremendous) aside, Joel seems like an extraordinarily nice person. It's not surprising that he has friends on the City Council. One of the neat things in the film is the murmered words of support that come from off camera and the complete absence of coughs and movement by his fellow Council members. That stillness is a testimony of support stronger than words.

Your words have made a profound difference in my life. Thank you for your courage.

When the Young Man recently jumped off the GW in New York with such Hyper-Pressured Anti-Gay (true or not), Privacy Invading Bullying swirling amidst the intensive coverage(s), I expressed my hope to those of whom would listen that finally this Young Man's life would begin that Day of True Change.

Pivotal Moments in individual and wholesale societal change do sometimes come when you least expect it, to the most deserving, and least likely to get it ~ knowing that everyone out there in the world at large has seen it in front of their eyes for years and years and years.

As with the Molestation of children by Adults, in Churches, Boy Scouts, Boarding Schools, etc. which took decades and decades before it began being acknowledged, addressed, punished - at least a little, and some help for some victims, now bullying get's some attention.

I was a many year victim of child abuse and rape - outside of my home - when I went to school - being so very short and small - enjoyed many many years of bullying and physical abuse on and off school grounds. Just because.

When I was older and the usage of the words "gay (and) faggot" were the chosen (or thought to be) words to control another person and bully them into a state of horror and submission, I had then come to an age of understanding of myself (about 12) where I was too smart intellectually, had ZERO desire for friends, honestly cared nothing what others thought, and began carrying a briefcase to school (70's) and only speaking to adults. Hard ride trust me (wouldn't recommend it - and I still swallowed an entire bottle of aspirin at 14! Nothing happened.

But I did grow out of it too. And Days Do Get Better. But Beating the People Whom Torment You By Not Giving Them What They Want, Is A Great Down Payment Up Front.

And back to the lead in, that Young Man in New York on the GW, this forthcoming Holiday Season with be a bit less bright surely, but they will receive my Thank You and Xmas Card in His Honour, as should thousands more arrive. Immediately now MILLIONS of postings in the U.S. are occurring, being viewed and shown through every social and media network manner available 24 hours a day ~ worldwide.

Councilman Joel from Ft. Worth has honored each of these young victims, shared his story eloquently, brought a collective literal emotional and tearful pause whilst viewing his recorded public statement from the council meeting, and moments wide-spread acknowledgment for his efforts, irregardless of age, colour, region, and/or political strip (in most cases).

Dan Savage's Challenge is out thee and exploding as well. Laws are changing, schools much listen, students voices are being heard, and parents can no longer say it is just "part of growing up" ............... as it never was!!!!!! Unless getting firebombed, shot, raped, robbed, threatened, etc were/are. And, of course, that answer was/is no.

This time has come, FINALLY. 1 in 6 bullied statistic. Down the short future road, let's see that "real" number, maybe 1 in 4 or 1 in 3. I think 1 in 6 might be sexually bullied or fully beaten the crap out of! maybe even 1 in 5.

All you out there doing what you are, keep it up and more. AWESOME and THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!!!!!!!

There were 16-human beings in the paddy wagon, nine were Hispanic and seven were gay white men. If bigitry has a name it is BURNS. He has a history of moving gas pad sites from white wealthy neighborhoods and placing them in poor Hispanic neighborhoods. He meets in secret with the fat-cats down town and takes mone from Chesapeake (the gas drilling commpany). I is just another typical greedy, corrupt politicians. He was elected to represent all in his City council district. He is on a mission to save gay children from bullying. How can he claim that an 8-year old is gay? 8-year olds do experiment, but wait until the pas adolance then ask them whether their gay or not. Joel Burns Father never approve of him broadcasting his sexual preference, still Burns posed the question based on his political success, addressing his father, "You never approved of me before, what do you think of me now." His father never wanted his name broadcast on national TV.

Re-phrase: You were a bigot before, and now that I've succeeded are you still a bigot. His presentation angered several of the parents whose children were supposedly bullied solely because he decide that the families wanted their grief broadcasted on national TV.... On think for sure he is no Harvey Milke. He's just building a brand on the backs of the minorities he chooses not to represent.

sir you are the one pulling the gay card. He's a politician--get it. He did create quite a drama. Ask the Hispanics he left hanging in the same paddy waggon as the brutalized young gay men. They didn't deserve it, why did the Hispanics deserve it? His ommission told the hispanic community that he's convienent in who he represents. He is driving people apart. All people should be treated with the same respect. Bullies don't discriminate, the're equal opportunity preditors. It is clear that he cares about the gay community--no fault in that. Moving gas drill sites from wealthy white neighborhoods to poor minority neighborhoods is bigitry. I do appreciate you caring comments, but look at Joel Burns a little closer.