6 Years After Debate Led To Gay Teen’s Suicide, Oklahoma Town Approves LGBT Resolution

With Zack Harrington’s Parents Looking On, Norman City Council Votes Unanimously To Designate October As LGBT History Month

Six years ago Wednesday, 19-year-old Zack Harrington attended a City Council meeting in Norman, Oklahoma, that became the scene of what was later described as a “toxic” debate over a proposed proclamation designating October as LGBT History Month. 

One week later, Harrington took his own life, with his family later speculating that his internalization of negative comments from the meeting may have pushed him over the edge. 

Harrington’s death — which took place amid a rash of suicides by LGBT people nationwide — inspired Fort Worth City Councilman Joel Burns’ viral “It Gets Better” speech, as well as a documentary about the gay teen’s life, “Broken Heart Land.”

On Tuesday, for the first time since Harrington’s death, the Norman City Council again considered an LGBT History Month proclamation — with Zack’s parents, Nancy and Van, in attendance.

This time, however, there was no debate, and the council approved the proclamation unanimously, with the mayor choking back tears as she read it. 

“He endured so much hate and bigotry and he heard so much at the meeting six years ago and we didn’t want to hear that again,” Van Harrington told News 9 after the meeting. “We spontaneously just jumped up and started cheering and clapping because it was a great relief. … It was a happy and sad feeling for me. The happy that we stuck it out and we’re going forward. Sad that this sort of thing didn’t happen earlier and that maybe we would have Zack. But who knows.” 

CNHI Oklahoma reports that history threatened to repeat itself prior to Tuesday’s meeting, with anger over the proclamation simmering on social media.

“I fielded a lot of heat, hate and even threats after I introduced the 2010 resolution,” Human Rights Commission member Michael Ridgeway wrote on Facebook. “I hope the discussion this time can be loving and kind, even among those who disagree.”

Councilman Robert Castleberry made a motion to allow public comment on the proclamation prior to the vote, even though the council doesn’t normally do so. 

“I look forward to actually hearing some comments and hopefully we can learn from it,” Castleberry said.

Castleberry was the only one who voted in favor of the motion, which was defeated 7-1. Councilwoman Breea Clark condemned the motion, saying it would allow targeting of LGBT people. 

“For those that refuse to recognize this history, know that history will in fact recognize what’s happening here today,” Clark said. “And I have a problem with what one of my fellow councilmen is trying to do tonight, opening the door to hate speech under the guise of freedom of speech.” 

Two people spoke against the proclamation during public comments at the end of the meeting. However, hundreds of supporters of the proclamation flooded the meeting wearing red, with several speaking in favor of it. 

“I’ve never been in city council chambers where I felt so much unity and so much love,” said Cindy Cason, a member of Mothers of Many, a group for LGBT youth. “This is the best of Norman.”

Image via Broken Heart Land on Facebook