Tyra Banks sheds light on the struggles of growing up gay in some of the roughest and poorest neighborhoods — and the loneliness and pain that comes from lacking supportive family and friends.
She sits down with “voguing” artist Benny Ninja who appears on America’s Next Top Model to talk about how he was gay bashed, and how he overcame feeling like an outcast his entire life. Benny is the “house father” of the House of Ninja, a safe haven that takes in homeless gay teens and provides food, shelter and emotional support to help create a stable life for residents.
What would it feel like to be risking your life every time you walked out the door simply because you’re attracted to the same sex? Some are beaten, stabbed and even killed because of the music they listen to, the clothes they wear, or who they love.
Benny offers insight on why it bothers people so much to see two guys holding hands, and why gay hate crimes continue to be a major problem. I’d never really taken note as to how serious gay bashing is until recent events when a friend described to me how he was attacked for simply being himself. My heart goes out to all of you who have been bashed.
– Bumble Bee
Videos of the segment after the JUMP:
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