A father killed his son because he was gay!

On Friday, Shehada Khalil Issa,69, of North Hills was charged with fatally shooting his son, Amir Issa 29, outside the family’s home earlier this week because he was gay, according to the Los Angeles district attorney’s office.

Reading that a father killed his 29-year-old son because he was gay immediately caused strong mixed emotions to surge through my body. The politically correct statement would be condemning the father for such a senseless act.  Killing his son just because he’s gay… Who would ever think…. Hold up… I’d be a hypocrite to act like I never said “I’d kill my son if he was gay” and I know I’m not alone. That’s an all too common response when I tell other fathers my son is gay. “Eddie, you’re a better man than me because I would kill my son…” Although the intentions are never really there to the point where the statement is taken seriously, after reading about this tragic situation, it shines yet another spot light on how serious it is.

About a month ago I felt the urge to write something to post after reading about the trial of Elliot Morales, who taunted Mark Carson and his partner Danny Robinson, saying “What are you, gay wrestlers?” before fatally shooting Mark Carson in the face on a Greenwich Village street.  I didn’t want people to start thinking, now that I’m releasing a book addressing this issue my intent was to be some new advocate for the LGBTQ community.  I’ve written a number of manuscripts intending to debut them as spiritual self-help books branding “Gangster turned Guru”, not expecting to come out as “Gangster turned fight for the rights of the gay community spokes man.”  And I’m not that… but I would be because first and foremost I’m a concerned father, and the thing is every time I read or hear about the unprovoked violence, specifically against gay men, reoccurring fears for my own sons safety pulls at my heart. Especially with Drew’s “Accept me as I am and if you don’t well fuck you!” attitude. I’m proud that he’s always had the courage to express who he is.  It’s the ignorance of other’s and how they’ll react that terrifies me, and one of the reasons why I chose “Voice for the Silent Fathers” to be my first release. Shehada Khalil Issa, the father who couldn’t overcome his own fears and prejudices, will now have to live with the choice of murdering his son Amir Issa for the rest of his life.

Supporting parents, specifically fathers of children in the LGBTQ community allows them to let down their macho man egotistical mindset, to come and find peace with acceptance of their loved one. I’m the first to admit I’ve made a lot of mistakes as a father, but I’ve had the opportunity to ask forgiveness for the hurt and pain I’ve caused my son in order for our relationship to heal. Reading about what this father did makes me reflect on how blessed I am to have such a wonderful meaningful relationship with Drew.  It’s something that I cherish.

Now there’s going to be plenty of people that will stand in support of this father that murdered his child just because he was gay.  Pats on his back, nods of respect from those claiming they would do the same thing and that groups not exclusive to men.  I’m naturally inclined to give women the benefit of being more enlightened, but all of them aren’t.  Shehada Issa might not show any remorse now, but there will come a time when those happy memories of his son Amir begin to haunt him, especially since Amir’s not coming back.

So for those who aren’t in contact with their children, parents, or friends just because they live a lifestyle that you may not particularly agree with, take a moment to be honest with yourself in asking if you have the courage to swallow your pride by not basing your relationship according to one’s sexual preference or identity, but instead on who that person truly is.

The bottom line is… We all share the one common denominator uniting us all… LIFE, from an all-inclusive, unconditional loving God.  Let me reiterate that… From an ALL INCLUSIVE, UNCONDITIONAL LOVING GOD!!  Allow that to be the foundation to build upon when it comes to your relationships.

~Eddie K Wright, Gangster to Guru!!

Article reference:

Los Angeles father accused of killing his son with a shotgun because he is gay:  http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/la-father-accused-killing-son-gay-article-1.2586050

Murder suspect gets to torment hate crime victim in court:

http://nypost.com/2016/02/23/homophobic-killer-says-gay-man-had-the-bullet-coming-to-him/

#VoiceForTheSilentFathers