INDIANAPOLIS, IN – An openly gay student who was threatened by bullies was expelled this week as a consequence of attempting his own defense by firing a stun gun.
Darnell “Dynasty” Young became the target of bullies after he transferred to Arsenal Technical High School last year. The openly gay 17 year old was harassed by classmates who followed him to his house, spread rumors about his sexual activities, and threw bottles at him. He told the Star that he contemplated suicide but decided against it.
Young’s mother reported the harassment to school officials several times, but was told that administrators were powerless to act because her son wasn’t able to identify his tormentors.
School principal Larry Yarrell is reported to have said, “If you wear female apparel, then kids are kids and they’re going to say whatever it is that they want to say. Because you want to be different and because you choose to wear female apparel, it may happen.”
The teen’s mother gave him the stun gun for his protection, a situation that became all too real for the teen on April 16, when a group of students threatened to attack him. Young, frightened for his life, fired the weapon into the air, drawing the attention of school security personnel, who arrested him.
“While the district does not condone bullying, it also does not allow weapons to be brought on our school campuses for any reason,” an Indianapolis Public Schools spokeswoman said. “Students who violate this rule will be held accountable.” Young will be eligible to return to classes in January.