A hateful act by two Harcourt residents has led to many from the Township and surrounding area banding together to support a local teen.
Evan Natale was going for a walk through the community when he says two residents began shouting homophobic insults at him. “I was just walking down the road and they started calling me names,” he explains. “It happens often.” Evan says he always continues walking and never responds.
His mother Debbie posted to Facebook about the incident and it got traction within the community. In a matter of hours the idea for “Walk With Evan” was born. Debbie says she wants as many people as possible to walk with Evan through the community to take a stand against homophobia and show him and others in his position that they have support.
The initial post from Debbie has nearly 100 comments from people offering support to her, Evan and saying they will be joining them for the solidarity walk.
“It’s very frustrating,” Debbie says. “In this day and age this should not happen. We should be showing acceptance and love for everybody, no matter what their sexual orientation is.” Debbie says that she reads about and sees reports about teen suicides in the news and then seeing something like this happen to her son “terrifies” her.
“We want people to know this town is a safe place to be,” she says of Harcourt.
“Walk With Evan” is happening July 22nd starting at 6:30. Debbie says to meet at 1018 Harcourt Road in the township.
