Letter to the editor: A word is a very powerful thing

Re letter to the editor: I am sorry to the people who were hurt by my words

I met with Jaeana Dumais in person to discuss the Snapchat message that circulated so quickly. We discussed how difficult it is being a teenager, let alone a queer teenager, especially in a conservative town. I talked about our survey earlier this year of our LGBTQ2S+ community, and the insults, rejection, threats, and harm many have experienced.

A word is a very powerful thing.

Words can harm people for decades while bruises and breaks heal quickly. At their extreme, words such as were posted can push a queer teen or young adult to suicide.

I have accepted Jaeana’s apology. I believe she is sincere and has learned a harsh lesson. The apology, sending it to the newspaper, posting the apology on Facebook and Snapchat were all Jaeana’s ideas. It is tough to face the wrath of your peers, and the potential humiliation in your community.

I applaud her courage to meet, to post these apologies, and to follow through with learning of the LGBTQ2S+ community.

Alison Prentice

President Quesnel Pride Society

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Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email: rebecca.dyok@quesnelobserver.com