Dear Editor, I was terribly disturbed by the article on Ben Brownlee ["The Death of Ben Brownlee," News, Jan. 30]. I felt special contempt for the lack of regard exhibited by the adult teachers and administrators within the school district. They should each carry with them some of the blame for Ben's unfortunate end. Now, I don't really understand the worries – but let me entertain the concern that children are impressionable. So, there is this fear that addressing sexual orientation with youths is not a socially responsible thing to do, rather it will lead many to homosexuality, etc. To me that is preposterous, and it is a huge disservice to let homosexual/transgendered teens battle against their merciless peers without official consolation and support. Why must these teenagers be ostracized, and why do so many adults refuse to show them compassion? It is so disheartening, and to me it is unbelievably cruel. I will carry Ben's poem with me for the rest of my life, and I will find a way to bring hope into some of these young teens' lives.