LGBT youth's 'coming out' moment celebrated in Houston newspaper ad

by Sara Ritsch
Staff Writer

Dedicated Christian mother Joan Wilson took out a $200 newspaper ad in the Houston Chronicle to celebrate her 17-year-old son coming out as gay. Upon hearing news of the repeal of Houston’s Equal Rights Ordinance, she thought of no better way to make a statement.

Drake Wilson, an accomplished high school student, came out to the world via a charming YouTube video, so his mother thought it fitting to match that with a public statement of her own – one gifted with honor. Next to a photo of Drake’s largest smile, she wrote:

“The parents of Drake are pleased to announce that their son has come out. Drake is currently a senior in High School where he is captain of the tennis team, ASB [Associated Student Body] Vice President and NHS [National Honors Society] member. He is a church deacon and enjoys film making and baking. And yes, he adores Barbra Streisand.”

As a way of humanizing the people who were further marginalized in Houston last year, Wilson thought it best to give them a message of pride – even though their family lives in Washington state, not Texas.

A firm Christian, Wilson briefly discussed their church’s stance on the issue with Towleroad. “Everyone at church does love Drake and I think knowing him has changed a lot of hearts and minds,” she said in reference to the story of Sodom and Gomorrah.

“I think Christians would be shocked if they knew how many people they have marginalized and turned off [to] Christianity because of their exclusivity and bigotry.”

Fortunately for Drake, his mother’s inclusivity and tolerance allowed him to maintain his pride through the trials that many other 17-year-olds only suffer through.

But each time a message such as this is spread, another LGBT youth is positively affected.
 

The Gayly – 1/20/2016 @ 4:01 p.m. CST