Outpouring of support for gay boy in touching ‘Humans of New York’ photo

NEW YORK, July 5 — A touching photo of a tortured-looking young boy confessing to being a homosexual on ‘Humans of New York’ has received an outpouring support from the Internet.

The boy, who looked like he was about to cry, said, “I’m homosexual, and I’m afraid about what my future will be and that people won’t like me.”

Since the post went up, thousands of people have offered support and encouragement on photographer Brandon Stanton’s human interest Facebook page.

Talk show host Ellen DeGeneres joined the voices offering support for the boy, posting, “Not only will people like you, they’ll love you. I just heard of you and I love you already,” from her official ‘The Ellen DeGeneras Show Facebook page.

Former US Secretary of State and presidential candidate Hillary Clinton also posted words of encouragement: “Prediction from a grown-up: Your future is going to be amazing. You will surprise yourself with what you’re capable of and the incredible things you go on to do. Find the people who love and believe in you — there will be lots of them. –H”

Thousands of others shared their stories, with one user, Jose Daniel Castillo posting, “When I was growing up, being gay was the only way I defined myself. I wasn’t kind or intelligent or funny. I was just gay. And I let the world zero in on that one filter of me. Now that I’m (more) grown up, I’ve understood that I’m so much more than just homosexual. And learning to see myself as a kind, intelligent, and occasionally funny man — who incidentally is also gay — has had an incredibly healing effect on me.

He added, “My advice in short: don’t focus on being gay or not gay. Focus on being a great human being, and you’ll love yourself all the more for it. Big big hug, little guy!”

Another Facebook user, Lori Casey, posted, “It hurts me to see the sadness on his face. He should not have to feel that way or be afraid. Things are changing, and we will make sure it keeps changing.”

At the time of posting, the photo has been liked by over half a million people, and has been shared by over 50,000 Facebook users.