20 year old Georgia man finds physical abuse in coming out to family, but kindness from strangers

I'm updating this post from yesterday when I reported on a 20 year-old man in Georgia who found verbal and physical abuse in coming out to his family.

The good news appears to be that good-hearted strangers are opening their wallets to help young Daniel Ashley Pierce avoid being homeless with a GoFundMe campaign that, at this writing, has raised over $63K.

The story began with the posting of a video made by Daniel as he tried to address coming out to his family.

On Facebook, Daniel Ashley Pierce posted this yesterday:

“What a day…. i thought that waking up at 9:48 and being 15 mins late to work was going to be the biggest problem today. but i didn’t know that my biggest problem was going to be getting disowned and kicked out of my home of almost twenty years. to add insult to injury my step mother punched me in the face repeatedly with my grandmother cheering her along. i am still in complete shock and disbelief….”

Daniel added to the original Facebook video thread "Physically i am okay my step mother did a number on my face and lip but its not worth me worrying about."

Daniel's family has not contacted the media, but Daniel does share that his family asked that he take down the video that captures their repugnant behavior.  I hope the video stays on the internet forever to remind folks of the dangers and hideous behavior that can be inflicted on youth as they deal with who they are.

I'm glad to see that Daniel is now in safe quarters with supportive family and friends.

There are thousands of "at-risk" homeless LGBT youth who are out in the cold without support because of similar experiences in coming out.  As I celebrate the internet's fantastic support of Daniel, I do ask that if you are moved by this story, to remember shelters like the fantastic Ali Forney Center in NYC which helps over 1,000 young people a year if and when you have a few dollars to donate.