Lawrence "Larry" King, the 15 year old high school student who was brutally shot to death by another student at the E.O. Green School in Oxnard, California, reportedly because he was gay, will be commemorated during this year's Day of Silence.

A series of candlelight vigils have been held throughout the U.S. in the wake of King's death in an effort to raise awareness of what many feel was a largely underreported case, MTV reports. About 1,000 people marched in tribute to King at the "peace-and-tolerance" march in Oxnard Saturday.

Now the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), a leading gay-rights student organization, has decided to make King's murder one of the central themes of this year's annual Day of Silence (April 25), which commemorates victims of anti-gay violence.  on April 25.

"This year, we're going to incorporate, within the Day of Silence, a way for students to remember Lawrence King and sort of use it as a day to honor him and to bring attention to what happened," said GLSEN spokesperson Daryl Presgraves. "The overall themes will include King and the immediate need to address anti-LGBT harassment. If ever there were a sign that schools need to realize how far such harassment can go, and why it's important to address it now, it's Lawrence King."

King was shot in the head on Feb. 12 at E.O. Green Junior High School and removed from life support two days later. Classmates said King revealed he was gay this school year and had been teased because he wore makeup and other feminine attire. A 14-year-old classmate, Brandon McInerney, is charged with killing the eighth-grader. Prosecutors want to try him as an adult for murder and committing a hate crime.

Vigils in memory of Lawrence King, calling for an end to violence and harassment directed at lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in schools, are being organized in communities across the country. Check out http://www.rememberinglawrence.org/ to find a vigil in your area.

Last update: 02-22-2008 18:42

Posted by john mark baunillo, on 02-24-2008 02:46, 1. bananaman omg! i was really sorry for the family of larry King. I cant believe why the other kid did that....   » Report this comment to administrator Posted by Dillan, on 02-24-2008 12:50, 2. Two victims Of course I feel horrible hearing about Lawrence King -- but I also feed bad for the poor boy that did this. He is also a victim and needs help.   » Report this comment to administrator Posted by Robert, on 02-24-2008 17:55, 3. Mad Some may feel sorry for the person who did this awfull crime, but I dont. He should be tried as an adult!! at 14 you know rite from wrong. He deserves worse than what he will get. It goes back to the ignorance of the parents for allowing such stupidity to breed in the young minds.   » Report this comment to administrator Posted by Shane, on 02-26-2008 02:54, 4. America in decline I just found out about this sad event on CNN today a week later. In any other country of the world this would have led the national news. This is the sorry state of America that allows hate to reach this level as well as the easy access to guns by sick individuals. I noticed another comment above said that they felt sorry for the family, well he lived in a foster home so obviously his family didn't want him either! Such a sad case that this brave boy who put himself out for everyone to see and only wanted acceptance was killed by a sick coward and shot in the back of the head. Very sad indeed   » Report this comment to administrator Posted by mad citizen, on 02-27-2008 12:35, 5. concern I am so mad at these crazy people because you cannot judge people for whom they are. Let people live their lives in respect and peace. it is not the world its the stupid people in the world that make it so crazy. God is the only judge and let him do his job not crazy people. That boy could have grown to be a beautiful person regardless of his preference.We need to understand others feeling too and not just our own thoughts.That is a good thought to honor him and other slaining gay persons. I admire all people for whom they are and not the character of them.   » Report this comment to administrator