To the editor:

I read an article today (March 13) about a St. Peter student who was attacked during a basketball game for being gay. Now I’ve lived here in this town since 1999 and attended New Ulm High School for six years, during which the school system was slowly starting to be open with the gay community, but this incident that happened with the St Peter student is horrifying, inappropriate and disgusting. I am a transgender woman (male to female) who is proud to be part of the gay community. This town needs to stop being so homophobic in general and the schools, Catholic or public. We who are part of the gay community don’t choose be gay, lesbian, bisexual etc. We are this way from birth, so New Ulm, wake up and smell the roses because the change is here. Stop being homophobic and start to try and accept the gay community more, not just bits an pieces. You don’t have to agree with us, we just want to be respected like everyone else. My name is Quintin Branch and I’m proud of who I am!

Quintin Branch

New Ulm

507-421-6580