Zach Harrington, 19 years old took his life own life at his family’s Norman, Oklahoma home on October 5, 2010. Zach had attended a Norman City Council meeting where the Council had acknowledge receipt of a proclamation recognizing October as LGBT history month by a vote of 7-1 following three hours of what has been characterized as “toxic” commentary and debate by the citizens of Norman. Nikki Harrington, Zach’s older sister, said “When he was sitting there, I’m sure he was internalizing everything and analyzing everything … that’s the kind of person he was, I’m sure he took it personally. Everything that was said.” His father noted that “He feared for his safety on many occasion at (Norman North High School) and other people like him. Even though he was 6-4, he was passive and I’m sure being gay in that environment didn’t help.”
North grad took own life after week of ‘toxic’ comments