The family of murdered gay teenager Lawrence King, whose alleged murderer went on trial last week, has said that the school not enforcing its dress code is partially to blame for King’s death.

King, a 15-year-old gay middle school student, was shot in the head during a class on February 12th. The alleged shooter was 14-year-old Brandon McInerney. It is thought that the shooting occurred after King asked McInerney to be his valentine.

King’s parents and siblings claim that E.O. Green Junior High School’s decision to allow Lawrence to wear feminine clothing and makeup was at least one of the factors that led to his death. They filed the complaint at the Ventura County Courthouse last week.

They blame the school, who they say knew that King had been subject to bullying and had special vulnerabilities, for not acting to protect King from himself.

McInerney is being tried as an adult, and faces both first degree murder and hate crime charges.

Related Articles:

Students in Day of Silence to Support LGBT Equality
Anti-Bullying Laws Introduced as Gay Teen Murder Trial Begins

Do you want to join Pinke's team of paid writers? We're looking for writers all over the world to write about the gay issues that matter all over the globe. We're particularly looking for travel writers and writers in Asia/Africa/the Middle East, but we'll consider anyone with great writing skills and an interest in the subject. Email Pinke editor Robert Knox with a writing sample for more information.