Edmond North student speaks out pro-LGBTQ

By Robin Dorner
Editor in Chief

One young man in Edmond, OK became so concerned about his LGBTQ family that he decided to speak-out on Facebook. He made and posted a video about his feelings after the election.

Grey Ernst is the Edmond North High School's Gay Straight Alliance Co-President who said, “After the results of the election I felt strange. I woke up the next morning feeling weird and exhausted. I went to class and as I left, my favorite teacher gave me a hug and said, ‘don’t give up, keep fighting.’

“Her comments really struck me. I was hit with the realization that I didn’t have anyone to speak to about my feelings.”

So, Ernst took to the largest audience in the world; Facebook.

“I will respect another person’s vote. However, if I wanted to go to anyone in my family, I don’t have anyone to go to about things like this,” he said.

“I was inspired by my teacher and others in the GSA and I wanted to encourage people that they would get through it,” exclaimed Ernst. “I wanted to send a message to reassure everyone.”

Ernst said he has gotten much support over doing the video.

“I have had so much love and support it’s been overwhelming. There are some hate comments I have gotten at school, but the good definitely outweighs the bad.”He said the video was not pro-Hillary or anti-Trump. It was pro LGBTQ. “I’m not trying to make a political statement, it’s me protecting my community.”

When Ernst’s mother saw the video, she told him to delete it. He said, “She said it was too much.”

He said it’s the first time they have ever gotten into an argument about his sexuality.

Ernst is 18-years-old and said he did vote in the November 8 election.

Grey Ernst. Photo provided.

Copyright - The Gayly, 11/10/2016 @3:55 CST