Gay valedictorian needs money for college after parents kick him out

Seth Owen, valedictorian at his highschool in Jacksonville Florida, has been trying to raise money to pay for college after his parents kicked him out for being gay, reports News4Jax.

After finding photos on his phone, Owen’s parents discovered he was gay. They then made him attend counselling for conversion therapy and forced him to go to their anti-LGBT+ church. “They made it clear the intention was to make me straight,” he told News4Jax.

Owen refused to keep attending church and his parents kicked him out, making him homeless. “I was really, really upset,” Owen said. “It was extremely hurtful to know that I was walking out that door not knowing what lay ahead and feeling I don’t know how to explain it, it was devastating, absolutely devastating.”

Miraculously, Owen maintained a 4.16 GPA, becoming co-valedictorian of First Coast High School. He was accepted into Georgetown University and received a partial scholarship for first year tuition, although still had to pay $20,000. One of his former teachers started a GoFundMe page to help raise the rest.

Owen has already raised most of his goal. “I don’t think thank you is good enough,” he said. “Of course, I am extremely grateful, but I think thank you doesn’t say it. Now it’s time to pay it forward.”

Owen plans on becoming a defence attorney to help other homeless teenagers.

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