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Issue 1005, April 8, 2008
Mixed Messages
Weeks before he was brazenly killed by his teenage crush, 15-year-old Lawrence King was encouraged to be himself. Did that lesson help send him to his grave?
By Neal Broverman

Lawrence King
"Larry King was most certainly not a typical gay kid. He was Super Gay, gay to the max, way too gay for his own good."
In Response to Labor of Love: Who's Your Daddy?
"Sometimes, a parent's love goes beyond words and when a 'birth mother' walks away...the father opens his arms and heart even wider and bigger to his child/children."
Larry King
"Your magazine has gone too far in suggesting that we all go back into the closet to protect our safety and I will not renew my subscription."
Thomas Beatie: Self-Promotion or Trans Ploy?
"The current media frenzy both public and in private communities across the net surrounding the pregnant 'man' brings to mind two questions, the first being is Beatie's (Tracy Lagondino) public narcissistic plea for 15 minutes simply a stunt at self promotion, and the second question being is this a trans ploy at revenge leveled at the gay and lesbian community because the trans agenda was temporarily left off of ENDA in better efforts of getting it passed?"
Where the Gays Are
"Plano, Texas -- with 11 same-sex couples per 1,000 households -- is also home to a designated 'welcoming congregation' of Unitarian Universalists."
Where Was GLAAD?
"I personally find it foul that GLAAD has not stepped up to defend Thomas Beatie. I mean, isn't that their job?"
Thomas Beatie
"I was so happy when I started reading the article by Thomas Beatie - it is so amazing to see a man carry a child - it's definitely an option my husband and I would choose if circumstances permitted."
Nip/Tuck article
"Why is plastic surgery so commonplace amongst gay men? What places vanity so high on our priority list?"
A pregnant female...It's a miracle...AGAIN!
"I do not really understand all the fuss about Mr. Beatie's pregnancy. After all, he is biologically a FEMALE and has kept all his reproductive organs."
About Beatie
"After reading your article and seeing what exactly Mr. Beatie was like, I went from supporting him to thinking that he was quite egocentric in his decision to carry a child."
The Beaties
"Why is this any different than any other couple having a child? Just because Thomas was born Tracey?"
Thomas Beatie
"I think that Beatie's situation is going to force people to come face to face with something that is thought of as taboo in most cultures and, hopefully, spark a revolution of acceptance."
Jim David Column
"If he's so 'out,' why not mention him by name? Perhaps we gay men would support him if we knew who the hell he was!"
About the "Pregnant Man"
"If Mr. Beatie was as confident in being a man as he so states in his written interview regarding 'his' pregnancy, then why did he not go all the way in his gender change?"
On Thomas Beatie
"What came across via Thomas's editorial, as well as their television appearance on Oprah, was that they are a loving couple attempting to do no more than raise a family."
Thomas the Pregnant Man
"Good luck with your labor, good luck with your hormones, good luck not regrowing your breasts, good luck with being a parent."
Labor of Love
"What Thomas and Nancy are doing will someday be considered a normal daily occurrence. They happen to be the leaders in this unchartered territory."
Thomas Beatie
"Mr. Beatie and his wife showed the world two incredibly in love people. And two people who deserved and should have everyone's respect."
Thomas Beatie's Miracle
"I loved that Thomas said that he has a right as a HUMAN being to have biological child. He's right, it doesn't matter what people say about this miracle because there's no room to be judgmental. This is a miracle!"
Labor of Ego
"Beatie is pure and simple a Genderqueer. Not a man, not a boy, and obviously not a grown-up."
Labor of Love
"Mr. Beatie's bravery in sharing his experience shows the strength and courage that defines so many in the LGBT community."
Lawrence King
"Should support groups and other facilities for GLBT teens caution them to be careful? Yes, of course, but they should not be taught to hide or act/dress according to 'acceptable' (i.e., heterosexual) standards."
"An Invisible War" by Riki Wilchins
"King's particular taste for boots, makeup, nails, and jewelry may have been a factor, but the facts remain: A boy killed another boy over a romantic advance. A homophobic hate crime."
Ridiculous Labor of Love
"Beatie is not able to breastfeed, guaranteed, which is the single, most important thing you can do for your child nutrition-wise."
To Thomas Beatie
"I'm hoping you can forward my support of Thomas Beatie's decision to carry his and his wife's child."