On Thursday, November 6th Ohio State junior Cole Ledford was reportedly attacked while walking off campus towards his home. A group of men witnessed Ledford kissing his boyfriend and made anti-gay comments but, one man in particular confronted Ledford when he was alone, calling him a gay expletive and punching him in the face. The attacker left Ledford on the street alone and bystanders did not stop to help him. Currently, Ledford’s attacker has not been identified and charged but, he undoubtedly will see Ledford’s response as he is now an internet sensation for his words of positivity.
Despite being treated with cruelty, Ledford penned an eloquent response to his anonymous attacker, letting him know that he would not stop living life as his true self just because someone finds it offensive.
Ledford has used his platform to spread a simple message to his followers on social media: Love is Louder! He has become a spokesman of sorts because his story has been shared by a multitude of supporters via Twitter and Facebook. Even international news platforms, such as Huffington Post, have picked up Ledford’s story to share. Ledford’s positive message has become an example for everyone that no one has to accept hate or apologize for being who they are. The Love is Louder movement is based in the belief that everyone deserves to be treated with respect for who they are as an individual as well as respected for who they love. The unfortunate attack on Cole Ledford serves as a reminder that our society still has room for growth and the dialogue on the view of sexuality and love is far from over. Her Campus OSU supports Cole and wants everyone to remember, love is louder!
For more information on Cole, follow him on Twitter: @ColeLedford11.