WASHINGTON, DC-- A teen who was reported missing to the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office in Louisiana was found dead with a gunshot wound to the head, officials said. Detectives are investigating this case as an apparent homicide. In response to the ongoing investigation into the death of 17-year-old Ja’Quarius Taylor from New Orleans, as a possible hate crime, National Black Justice Coalition Executive Director David Johns and Executive Director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law Kristen Clarke released the following joint statement: 
“First and foremost, we extend our prayers and support to the family of Ja’Quarius Taylor. The tragic passing of a loved one is heartbreaking.  We hope our words and our actions help to honor the memory of Ja’Quarius and keep his name in the light. 

At the age of 25, I elected to be transparent with my Mother about being Same Gender Loving. 

As many young Black men of the SGL community, I had to wade thru the complexities of my sexual identity earlier on from religion to feeling "different" and ALL that lies in between.

In the best interest of maintaining my "secret" I would primarily date guys who lived outside of the city and/or state which I lived. By dating outside of my immediate surroundings it fostered a false sense of security my "secret" would be kept safe.