Giovanni Melton, 14 Killed by Dad for being Gay

A recent Pew Research Center survey showed that 4 in 10 gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people are rejected by family or friends. This is a sad statistic. However, this news I am about to share shows how bad this rejection can be.

Giovanni Melton, just 14 years old was killed by his own father for being gay, according to his foster mother.  Wendell Melton, 53 was upset that his son was gay. Apparently, Melton senior caught his son with his boyfriend and snapped.  He pointed a gun and him and shot him.  Giovanni was rushed to St. Rose Dominican Hospital where he succumbed to the gun injuries.

Giovanni Melton was allegedly abused physically, emotionally and spiritually according to his foster mother.

This news is tragic but happens far too often. I have gay friends who were kicked out of their homes after their strict Pentecostal families could not handle the news of having gay kids. We must pray for all people, especially these LGBTQ kids who are abandoned and often killed.

Our Catholic faith calls us to love others as ourselves. While we must condemn the LGBTQ lifestyle, we must also love the sinner.  We are sinners as well.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church makes it clear:

2358 The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God's will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord's Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition.

May Giovanni Melton rest in peace. He was a young baby boy gone too soon!




Source:

http://nypost.com/2017/11/06/dad-accused-of-murder-would-rather-have-a-dead-son-than-a-gay-son/

http://thegrio.com/2017/11/09/giovanni-melton-father-gay-son/

https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/nevada-father-murdered-son-being-gay-former-foster-mom-claims-n817906

http://www.fox8live.com/story/36779458/father-accused-of-killing-son-for-being-gay

http://abc13.com/man-accused-of-killing-teen-son-because-he-was-gay-/2612700/

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5056515/Nevada-father-killed-son-gay.html

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/father-allegedly-shot-killed-son-being-gay-killed-murder-teenager-nevada-wendell-melton-a8041886.html