P.S. I love you Ellen!! :)

"THERES NOTHING WRONG WITH BEING GAY OR LESBIAN!!!
THERES NOTHING WRONG WITH BEING A DIFFERENT RACE OTHER THAN CAUCASION!!
THERES NOTHING WRONG WITH BEING WITH SOMEONE OF A DIFFERENT RACE THAN YOUR OWN!!

ITS OK TO JUST BE YOU NO MATTER WHAT THAT IS!!"

I agree with Jessica Hernandez, I just took that from her comment.
I think you're a wonderful person with a GREAT personality, you're very kind, humble... and that's why I admire you so much :) Take care bye..

Killing someone for being gay?? i mean i wouldnt kill someone who wants to kill me!! (well maybe i would but for self protection not because i want to)

i was taught that even if you hate someone so much, you shouldn't wish the death of that person

"Forgive them, for they know not what they do"

i dont want to be that religious but do believe that you shouldn't wish death to someone you hate or idk...

i'm so glad you talked about this on your show, it got little to no new coverage and no one on the east coast really knows about it.

we talked about lawrence king at a GSA meeting, for the DoS i wrote 'RIP Lawrence King' on the sleeve, it was sad how many people were completely clueless as to who he was.

Ellen, Thank you for bringing to the worlds attention the Larry King story. You presented the story with all that a beautiful heart could give. Thank you for your love, compassion and respect for all walks of life! Thank you.

Please, take care of you. The world needs a role-model, and you fit the bill!

David
Melbourne, Australia

(Rest in Peace Larry King)

Ellen,

Hi, i just want you to know that i'm a huge fan of yours ever since you started... i totally admire you for letting everybody feel special....

I love you and your show so so so much.. don't change your ways to people because you are really helping all of us a lot... thank you and more power... God bless you more...

The Girl who's begging for your response,
Joanne Perea
Philippines

well i just saw my dvr episode of ellen that had janet jackson on it...i am a teacher who had the chance to get caught up on her tv over spring break. but i was shocked when you shared the story about the young man who lost his life for asking another boy to be his valentine.

i am a middle school teacher who sees the the awful things that middle school kids do to one another. and as much as i would like to say that we have groups in place for all students we dont. we as teachers almost are asked to live the dont ask dont tell standing on our identity. and if one of my students asks me if i am gay...i answer truthfully. to hide who i am puts more pressure on students than the truth. i would be telling them that it is wrong to live the lifestyle i do. i cant be political, i cant be spiritual, and i cant have a voice...or so says the schoolboard.

i say know what is worth fighting for...and a child's life is worth fighting for. thanks for sharing ellen...and i hope when people teach about diversity they remember to include homosexuality.

Dear Ellen:

WOW to be killed for asking another boy to be your valentine and because of the fact that you are the same sex. It is a shame that parents of today are still teaching their children the word hate, and kiss especially when it comes to this in life. I being a gay father raising my two children with my partner for the last 11 years of my life only shows me what my children have to go through to make sure that they never tell anyone that they live with their dad and his partner. That is a shame. I have raised my children to be proud of who they are and to stand up for what they believe in. Not to kill, not to belittle but to open minded to realize in this world that sometimes things are not like a Norman Rockwell Picture and that not all the time are things always happy and cheerful. Life is not that way, it is how you make life and how you work to make yourself a better person in life.
My heart goes out to the parents of that child because they taught their son to be who he is and poud of it and because of the society that we live in their are other people who have taught their children the word HATE,and the word of GAY as being a sin ,if anything they are the bad ones corrupting the minds of innocent children teaching them these things because they feel we are different. We are not different at all, we dress the same way as straight people do, and we work the same way and we pay taxes the same way, unfortunatley we deal with society alittle harder because of the way that people look at us, however I know who I am and I know my children know who they are and if we at least teach our young adults what is really out there, that their are gay people, straight people, disabled people, people of all origins, however we are all the same no matter what. Does it matter if you are black or white chinese or spanish,hatian we are all the same working hard to survive and make something out of our lives and to better our children that we bring into this world.
Ellen you are a blessing to all of us, and to the organizations that are out there for all of us to lean on. My children now are 15 and 22 and believe me they are the most open minded children in the world where their friends can come to me and my partner and talk about everything and anything where many children out there can not even talk to their parents because their parents never have the time for them or their parents dont listen to them. Listen to your children they are the future in the world, they are the ones that need nurishment in the mind to grow up healthy mentally as well as physically and to see that there are all types of cutlures out there.
My prayers will be with the terrible lost of this young man who has just realized who he is and now in heaven will be a star among the stars up there watching our world below.Let his memories be with us and lets hope that his dealth will at least turn into something positive later on when we are all recognized as people and not as something strange or QUEER.
May he rest in peace among the ones up there to watch him into the gates of heaven
AMEN

I was at work today searching YouTube for Ellen playing Guitar Hero, because I had heard that she played it on the show. So I watched that video and then I ran across another video "Ellen DeGeneres Discusses The Recent Tragic Death". I clicked on the video and sat at my desk and cried. I thought why haven't I heard anything about this? I also thought how little our country has progressed since she came out so many years ago. Will we ever get to where we are all treated as equals? We need to start expecting equality from the leaders to the followers in this country. We need to teach our children to love one another instead of hating one another.

ELLEN-
THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS TO LIGHT. THE PRESS TENDS TO NOT SHOW THIS ISSUE LIKE IT SHOULD. BEING A BLOND, MIDDLE AGED MARRIED WOMEN, I HAVE NOT HAD TO DEAL WITH SUCH HATRED. BUT IT IS WAY TOO LATE FOR US ALL TO STAND UP AND STOP THIS HATRED NOW! IT HAS BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE THE SHEPARD CASE AND IT SHOULD NEVER HAVE CONTINUED. WE NEED TO CHANGE IT IN OUR HOMES, CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, AND TOWNS AND IT HAS TO HAPPEN NOW! NOT ONE MORE LOVELY SPIRIT OR SOUL NEEDS TO BE LOST. HATE IS A FOUR LETTER WORD. WE ALL HAVE TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND STAND UP TOGETHER AND STOP IT. SITTING BACK AND LETTING THINGS CONTINUE IS JUST AS BAD AS NOT ACTING.

Kristine,
if all parents were like you this world would be wonderful. Thank you.

Ellen,
thank you for your strong soul always in the firing line to fight this awful world. If it will really change one day, you'll be mentioned as a hero. Love you.

Being happy and proud to have gay friends,
I send my condolences to the King family.
I think Larry is an angel in God's arms as a witness that the human race has failed once again: in 2008 mankind has not understood LIFE yet. Shame.

In memory of Larry,
never to forget.

Hi Ellen

I just wanted to say how proud I am of my Lesbian daughter. She came out to me about 2 yrs ago and nothing has changed for us, other than the fact that she can feel relieved to know that her family accepts her as herself!!! I wouldn't change anything about her.

I want to send my condolences to the King family. It is such a shame that anyone would do such a thing to any other living thing. That poor young man, Brandon, must have grown up in a very hateful family.

I have always been a fan of yours Ellen. I now am a bigger fan than ever!!! You are such a wonderful additon to our society. I thank you for being such a positive role model!!!

Donna/ Chesterfield, MI

Dear Ellen,

Firstly, I would like to take the opportunity to say that I have been a huge and loyal fan of yours since your first start in stand up. Congratulations upon your much deserving career. My son and I absolutely love your show and watch it together daily. Thank you for being such a bright spot in our day.

Secondly, I would like to thank you for your statements pertaining to Lawrence "Larry" King on your show. Bless you for speaking up for those who otherwise cannot for fear of ridicule and all the ramifications included.

You see, my son Brandon, (not the 'Shooter' since they shared the same name,) was a very good friend of Larrys and they had chatted in the front office of the school that tragic morning and walked to class, my son going into one class and Larry entering the class nextdoor. They spoke of meeting later to have lunch with their mutual freinds in the courtyard. That was right before 08:30AM. I received a phone call from my son at 09:45 saying that the school was on "Lockdown" and they were all locked in their classrooms. I am a semi-retired Paramedic and have 'friends' at various agencies, etc. and proceeded to make a few calls, not only for info. but for my own peace of mind. My son promised to call every 15-20 mins.as he could. His next call informed me that the Oxnard Police Department was there with Assault rifles and were conducting a 'sweep and headcount' of each class. I inquired if the K-9 Unit was there because I knew that would indicate drugs or a bomb being involved. My son stated that no dogs with Officers had been seen at that time. Several minutes later, my 'friend'called to break it to me that a student had been shot and taken to the local Trauma Center,(St. John's) there in Oxnard. All of these things I was fortunate enough to find out even before the news broke on the local stations, etc. I can't begin to tell you the helplessness I felt while awaiting the next promised call from my son. I must apologize if this is scattered or long-winded, that isn't my intent. I just feel I must share this with you for some reason. You see, my son is very intelligent to the point of being considered 'odd' by some of his peers. He tends to have a closeknit group of friends who are the type that are honor students, play in the school band and simply walk to their own drummer as it were. He has experienced taunting and ridicule himself, even for just being friends with Larry. He used to talk to me about Larry and the fact that Larry was so very, very sweet and simply was proud of who he was and that yes, he could be flamboyant in his dress or accessories, etc. I discussed how brave Larry was, at such a young age, to be above all else true to himself. But on the other side of the coin that Larry would have a long road ahead of him and would be subjected to ridicule and just hateful remarks from those who refused to understand or take the time to know and acknowledge him as simply a person first. I was and am very proud of my son for his big and understanding heart. I am extremely blessed. Larry was such a beautiful soul and was always upbeat and ready with a smile. He was a talented singer and even made Christmas presents for our soldiers in Iraq who otherwise wouldn't receive a gift. All this and he still lived with being bullied and ridiculed. I have raised my son to respect others for exactly who they are and how good they are in their heart. After all, we ALL have to share this planet and I preach tolerance. My son has coped with this tragedy by writing in his journal and writing poetry and he is a talented artist and has drawn as a means of dealing with his emotions. He has gathered with his fellow students and friends just to talk. He has also seen Grief Counselors who were provided by the District. We both have attended a candlelight vigil, several sponsered memorial walks and we did attend the funeral, as I believed it would help with closure issues. This tragedy has really affected our community and the people; parents and students and faculty, have all rallied together with such love and support. It has also galvanized this community. We all have been impacted and saddened. As my son has stated, "Mom, how fitting that someone received Larry's heart on Valentine's Day." (His organs were donated.) This country has also rallied together and I pray that Larry's death is not all in vain. The school districts in this country need to implement programs for peer-monitoring efforts. California states that we simply do not have the money needed for schools to staff the much needed personel to provide a positive environment for our children. I was always under the impression that as adults that the faculty and staff in our education system, that one of their main focuses was to protect our children and to provide a caring, positive environment. We need to become very serious as parents and adults in this country and demand that our legislators must provide better by our children. We simply can't just pursue tolerance, we all must teach and learn acceptance. I will simply close this by again thanking you from the bottom of my heart for taking the time to touch upon this tragic incident that has affected and destroyed many lives involved.

Sincerely, Kristine

I try to write everyday and I've mentioned that you should talk about descrimination on your show because I'm lesbian as well and I grew up in a small, close-minded town as well as family. My self I am very open minded. I met this girl Dana back in high school of '05 and she took my heart. I was still in the closet because I knew about all the discrimination that was going around. Racial slurs, gay slurs everything. Well, we got together and I came out of the closet. I came out to my mother and she harrassed me so badly I had a nervous break-down, I had no place to live I had nowhere to go.

The whole school just about it harrassed us. We walked home from school one day hand in hand and a girl came from behind me and pulled my hair and we got into literally a fist fight. There were several girls as well as guys who threated to beat us up and kill us because we were gay.
I am so glad that you spoke about it today that broke my heart into a million pieces when I saw that boy on your show. Its the most horrible thing in the world to be discriminated against because of how you want to live your life. I know what the boy went through because I went through the same when I was his age. I had to quit high school because of it. Its hard going out in public, even to wal mart without people making gay comments that are insulting.

Like I've said a million times Ellen, I hope and pray from the bottom of my heart you read this e-mail or one of your co-workers reads this and atleast delivers you the message, you have completly changed my life Ellen. Knowing that you are who you are and you express yourself and your lover changed my life. You let me know that it's ok to be who you are. I appretiate that. Hopefully one day I will get the money up to come and meet you even if it's for 15 seconds long enough for you to say "hello" and keep walking, just knowing that you said hello would be great enough.

Thank you so much for your time and being who you are Ellen. I think that you are the most amazing person overall. One day I will meet you and I will tell you this in person! Until then, take care Ellen.

Amanda

It takes a wonderful role model, and strong leader in the gay community to make a change in this world, not a president or political figure. Ellen, you are that role model to me and so many others living in the world, not only gay and lesbian but hetrosexual as well. I was blessed that my family and friends accepted me and my lifestyle so lovingly. I live in a large gay poplulated area of Manhattan and I never worry about bieng attacked or killed but it is stories like this that break my heart and make me realize that we have a long, long way to go to end hate crimes and descrimination. Thank you for your inlcluding Larry in the heartfelt segment of your show. I am sure he is looking down from the heavens surrouned by rainbows and so proud that you are trying to change the world. Zack NYC

Ellen, As an out middle-aged lesbian I have sometimes been frustrated with the fact that you are, as you put it, "not political". BUT... when you speak seriously about what is RIGHT and WRONG it absolutely seeks out attention and that is a good thing! As a full-time staff nurse who spends much time dispelling stereotypes within the health care system it never ceases to amaze me how far we have to go... but... it is time for change and those who for whatever self-righteous reasons believe hate is o.k. are about to have their last hurrah! Thank you...

Hi Ellen
I also wanted to thank you for mentioning the Larry story - I was at the gym watching your show while I walked on the treadmill & CRIED like a baby. As the mother of a gay son, I worry about him every day. I am ashamed to admit that I have sometimes wished that he could have a more socially acceptable "problem", like a mental or physical defect, so that people wouldn't HATE him for it. He is a good person & I love him so much. I know that things are getting better, but we still have a long way to go. Thanks for your part in helping to change things.
P.S. PLEASE, PLEASE try & somehow dispel the misperception that all GAY men are PEDOPHILES- I truly think that that's where a lot of the hatred comes from. So many people don't seem to understand that pedophiles are 99% of the time HETEROSEXUAL men who prey on children.
Thanks for listening,
Kathy

Ellen - I have always loved you, most selfishly for the laughter you bring to my life personally; however it is your raw emotion that is your most endearing quality and how you affect the lives of others in such a positive way. How could you not be emotional over such a tragedy. Things like this should just not happen! People need to know there is no script for how life will play out and they need to be accepting of any or all directions it may take. When one of my children told me they were gay, my first reaction was deep sorrow, but not for myself, for them, because I just wanted to save them from the pain of the intolerant world, as any mother should. Ellen, the more you bring these issues to the forefront, the more gains are made. Thank you Ellen for doing what you do, and for being you.

Hello Ellen, I think your show is great and so are you. You seem like such a down to earth person. Let me just say that I also just found out about this poor innocent young man and was devasted about this. I myself don't watch the news that often, but when I do there are certain things that bother me emotionally and this is one them. I think it was a great thing that you talked about it on your show and people really need to listen. My heart goes out to "Larry King"s family. I can't even begin to imagine what they're going through. This young man had the stength to be proud of who he was and that was taken away from him. So many young kids struggle with this everyday and even adults do too. Its our job as adults and parents to teach our kids to respect others no matter what color they are, or what religion they believe in and no matter what sexuality they are. I have a 13 year old daughter and a 2 year old son and they are both of Hispanic, African American and Caucasion descent. Both are beautiful children and my daughter feels that everyone is the same as her, she feels that there is no difference from her. No matter if they are 100% caucasion or puerto rican or if they are male or female or if they are gay or lesbian. I have an open relationship with my daughter and she knows she can come to me about anything, there is nothing that I don't talk to her about. I have always taught her, to never treat anyone any different no matter what and she doesn't and I will do the same with my son.

I agree with you 100% we need to stop all this hate in the world. I honestly spend days wondering what it is that made or makes people have so much hate in them that they can hurt people emotionally and even physically. Then it hits me if we understood why, then we would be the same, but we're not.

This was such a horrific tragedy that happened to "Larry" and I know this is not the first time something like this has happened, but something has got to be done about this, so that this does not happen again.

I know you will keep talking about this on your show and I sure hope people listen to you. Positive messages need to be sent, from parents to children, teachers to students and students to classmates and even adults to adults.

THERES NOTHING WRONG WITH BEING GAY OR LESBEIAN!!!
THERES NOTHING WRONG WITH BEING A DIFFERENT RACE OTHER THAN CAUCASION!!
THERES NOTHING WRONG WITH BEING WITH SOMEONE OF A DIFFERENT RACE THAN YOUR OWN!!

ITS OK TO JUST BE YOU NO MATTER WHAT THAT IS!!!!!!!

Keep up the good work Ellen.

A fan
JHdz

Hi Ellen
I know its a little late but i wanted to write to you about larry & what you said on your show. I 100% agree with you. Its an epidemic in this world the way that we lash out at people who are different & its sad that something like this has to happen for people to give a damn. I am a an army wife and the discrimination goes above and beyond with the military i have seen people be chaptered out of the military for being gay. its sad. I am not gay and its not for me but it no way bothers or effects my life if someone else chooses that lifestyle nor does it effect anyone elses life for that matter people should learn that just because someone chooses a lifesytle doesn't mean they are trying to impose it on them. & furthermore with all the discrimination that goes on in the world how are we to say we are any different than the nazis where to everyone who wasn't blond and blue eyed. I just wanted to say thank you for being different and not saying what you think people want to hear! I appreciate it...Your fan..Savannah

Ellen,

It's very sad that in this day people are still being persecuted for who they are, things that they cannot change.  Whether it's that they are gay, black, or a woman.  I know that we are on the verge of a historical event with the upcoming presidential election, but there are still so many prejudices we need to overcome.

I live in a decent sized city in Iowa and I work in a small business office, in which I (at 32) am the youngest.  I often have to hear sexist and gay slurs.  When I try to show my coworkers that they are being sexist and homophobic, they act as though I am overreacting~ that it is a completely normal thing to refer to people as they do.

I am also the single mother of two children, ages 13 and 9. I have made sure that they know that using "those terms" are unacceptable and that everyone is to be treated equally and fairly. They have been told what those terms truly mean, and what you are really saying to someone when you call them those words. It amazes me that not everyone is that open with their children.  But, I guess if you feel that other people are "wrong" or less than you because of their sexuality, race, or gender than you wouldn't really think to teach your children about equality~ or humanity for that matter.

Ellen, I want to thank you for bringing this tragedy to the worlds attention. Hopefully you have helped to change someones mind!

I would like to send my thoughts and prayers to the families of both Larry and Brandon, their friends and community. May this tragedy somehow bring them together to see that we are all one people, one family, and that we need to all take care of and respect one another!