We Won’t Solve Problems Confronting Our Community Without a Group Effort
One sunny afternoon last week, Darnell "Dynasty" Young, fresh from a wardrobe change that involved black tights and a tight red top, told a crowd of supporters at American Legion Mall that he was dedicating his rally to "all of the bullied kids" who felt so alone that they killed themselves.
Darnell could've easily become one of those kids without the support of his mother and twin brother.
Hearing his words, dozens of mostly gay and white people cheered and waved rainbow flags.
Dynasty burst into tears.
Skinny, effeminate and sporting a mohawk, 17-year-old Dynasty is a bullied kid. His story is as sad and as unjust as any child's who is bullied for being somehow different from the norm.
But Dynasty isn't just any bullied kid. He's a gay bullied kid. He's a kid who gets beat up because he's gay, carries purses and wears his mom's jewelry….
Dynasty is black. But Indianapolis' black leaders — the politicians, ministers, churches, nonprofits — have been missing in action. The National Black Justice Coalition, a civil rights group that advocates for gays, issued a statement of support from Washington, but Dynasty's mom said she hasn't heard a peep from anyone locally.
