Sara Henriksen
Waterloo West High School

"I still remember sitting in biology class and this boy asked me if I was gay. Without hesitation I said “yes, why?” Heads turned and I immediately fell silent. From then on I became known as “the dyke.” I was getting spit on, pushed into lockers, hit in the bathrooms, and people were constantly making comments. I started skipping class and my grades were falling dramatically. I knew things couldn’t continue but I didn’t know what to do.

Then I started getting notes in my locker. As I opened the first note, I stood there dumbfounded. I didn’t want to believe what I was looking at. On the piece of paper was a picture of Matthew Shepard. His face was in flames and it read “you will perish like Matt Shepard.” I then opened the next letter which detailed all the way a person could as they say, “take care of a fag.” The note listed detailed step by step ways to kill a person.

At this point, I had to do something so I got in touch with a teacher and counselor. They put me in touch with the Iowa Pride Network, whose support and mentoring helped me find my voice. I started reporting the incidents of harassment I was facing and started a Gay-Straight Alliance to help encourage understanding in my high school. The Iowa Pride Network has been one of my strongest advocates and has provided venues for me to share my story with other students to let them know that they aren’t alone."