Jacob Eiler (born 1979) is a human rights activist from Indiana. He is listed in Who's Who Among American High School Students and the National Dean's List for outstanding academic achievement. Eiler is an alumnus of the Indiana Youth Group and was a speaker for PFLAG and other groups. He is most well known for being on the front wave of the controversy surrounding homosexual youth coming out while attending school, and for the many media pieces featuring him regarding that topic.
Personal History edit
Eiler grew up in rural Indiana. He came out to himself and friends when he was twelve, but didn't tell his parents until he was sixteen. He was estranged from his family and received little or no familial support after that, moving in with a lesbian friend and working at a nursing home to support himself. Through out high school he was harassed by other students, prompting him to utilize the press[citation needed] to pressure the school to give him better protection. In his senior year, he told some friends that he intended to bring his boyfriend to prom. When this spread around the school it upset many of the students.
The day before prom his car was vandalized, all four tires slashed, and had the word "fag" carved into the paint[citation needed]; there were signs in neighboring houses' yards adjacent to the high school with scriptures from the Bible claiming that God was against homosexuality. He filed a police report, which got picked up by the media[citation needed]. The Associated Press and Indiana state newspapers and television stations showed up at the prom to interview him[citation needed] as it was unheard of at the time for same sex couples to attend prom. Eventually he was flooded with calls and inquiries[citation needed], which is how he gained some local and national notability.
Accomplishments edit
Eiler has been in many newspapers, magazines, and other forms of media. He has been approached by and featured in Rolling Stone Magazine, Les-Bi-Gay Radio Chicago, Seventeen Magazine, OUT Magazine, Oasis Magazine, The Daily Show (on Comedy Central), and several private biographers and filmmakers. Although Eiler has declined any type of book or movie opportunities, he someday plans to write a book about his life to help others overcome adversity and prejudice.
Latest Works edit
Eiler has started a small technology firm named Projess in Houston, Texas[citation needed]. Projess offers business services and technology consulting, and has a non-profit organization called the Projess Foundation that will provide technology and learning to underprivileged youth in inner cities. Eiler is still active in the LGBT community, and will be writing columns for several magazines and blogs in early 2009[citation needed].
Eiler's most recent community contributions include the opening of Project Get Real, Inc., a non-profit organization focusing on environmental, equality, sexual health, and financial education, outreach, and support for young adults. Project Get Real helps the Houston, Texas community with recycling, safer-sex outreach, financial planning for young adults moving out on their own for the first time, and acceptance and tolerance training to ensure equality in our communities. Project Get Real is available at [www.projectgetreal.org]www.projectgetreal.org.
References edit
- "Gay Teen-ager and His Male Date Spark Controversy at Senior Prom". Louisville Courier-Journal. Associated Press. 1997-05-04. Retrieved 2006-06-06.
- Young, Marilyn (1997-05-03). "Same-sex prom date: No problems". Anderson Herald-Bulletin. Retrieved 2006-02-09.
- Nelms, Robby (November 2007). "Wi-Fi & Netiquette". today's focus: technology. Indianapolis Star. Retrieved 2007-12-12.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
- Walsh, Jeff (September 1997). "Oasis Profile: Jacob Eiler, 18, of Anderson, Indiana". Profiles in Courage. Oasis Magazine. Retrieved 2006-06-06.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
- Riethauser, Stéphane (October 1997). "Chassé de la maison à 16 ans" (in French). Lambda Education. Retrieved 2006-06-06.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
- Lipsky, David (1998-08-06). ""To Be Young and Gay"". Rolling Stone Magazine.
External links edit
- The Daily Show (on Comedy Central)
- Jacob Eiler's website
- Rolling Stone Magazine (featuring full-page shot of Jacob Eiler)
DEFAULTSORT:Eiler, Jacob <nowiki>Category:1979 births Category:Living people Category:LGBT rights activists from the United States Category:People from Indiana