A 10-Year-Old Writes Kirk Cameron: “Please Stop Bullying”

By John Shore

Dear Kirk Cameron:

Hello. My name is Kaitlin Eldridge. I am ten years old. My brother Matt is seven. We live in San Diego, California. John Shore lives two houses down from us. He is friends with my dad. Sometimes John babysits me and Matt. He is a very funny person. Matt and I love him.

Yesterday John was babysitting us when I was writing a book report. I found this picture of you online. You used to be so cute!!!

I asked John why you were on so many news sites. He said it was because of some things you said about gay people. My uncle Tom is gay. He and his best friend Gary have been together since before I was even born. They live in University Heights. They have three dogs. I completely love them both.

Here is what I learned you said about gay people:

I think that it’s – it’s – it’s unnatural. I think that it’s – it’s detrimental, and ultimately destructive to so many of the foundations of civilization.

I like to be sure of what people say, so on an online dictionary I looked up some of these words. Unnatural means: not normal; inhuman or monstrous; WICKED. Detrimental means: harmful: DAMAGING. Destructive means: designed or tending to hurt or destroy.

I asked John if what you really and actually said is that people like my uncles Tom and Gary are wicked and harmful monsters who like to destroy things. He said I should write to ask you that question. So that’s what I’m doing!

Mr. Cameron, I hope you did not say those mean things. If you did that would be bullying. Bullying makes people so sad sometimes they kill themselves. Sometimes Matt gets bullied at school by boys who are detrimental. They make Matthew cry so hard. I hate those boys.

Would you please write and tell me if you said those bad things about Tom and Gary? I know sometimes the news makes big mistakes. Maybe this is one of those times! I hope that it is, and that you never said what they said you did. But if it was not a mistake, and you really do think Tom and Gary are monsters that are evil—then guess what? You are invited to Matt’s birthday party at Tom and Gary’s house! It is on April 14.

Please come! Please do not be afraid to meet Tom and Gary. As soon as you meet them, you will know how funny, smart, and nice they are. If you do not love them so much that you want to be their friend forever, John has 100% guaranteed that he will pay for your airplane ticket here and back. Plus food! So there is no excuse for you not to come!

Mr. Cameron, please come to Matt’s birthday and meet Tom and Gary. I know they will be very glad to make your acquaintance. Once you meet them you will never want to say bad things about gay people again. Then you can tell all the news the real truth, which is that gay people live and have dogs and love each other just the same as anyone else.

Thank you for reading this letter. If you ask him, John will very happily send you directions to Tom and Gary’s house.

I will save you a cupcake!

Sincerely yours,

Kaitlin

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Image Gage Skidmore