Alaska Republican Congressman Don Young's
remarks blaming friends and family of suicide victims and comparing same-sex marriage to bestiality are still reverberating across the state and nation. Now Zachary Grier, a 17 year-old senior at Wasilla High School, where Young made his remarks, is
speaking out about his reaction to what Young said, telling The Huffington Post that he "was pretty upset."
After Young said that suicide demonstrates a "lack of support" from family and friends, Grier challenged the congressman, prompting Young to call him a "smartass." But Grier wasn't apologetic for standing up to Young and said Young was the one who should rethink his words:
“To hear that it was because you weren’t a good friend, I mean that makes someone hurt more than just having that happen,” Grier said. “To hear that it’s your fault after the fact is definitely a heavier blow.”
Grier was also offended by Young's remarks on marriage equality in which the congressman compared same-sex marriage to bestiality.
“I can understand having your own opinion, and that’s fine. But having your own opinion and coming into a room filled with high schoolers and telling them that same-sex marriage is the same as two bulls having sex—in my opinion, that’s wrong.”
Grier isn't the only voice speaking out against Young. Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski called on Young "to rethink the past few days and apologize to Alaskans" for what he said. Young, however, is not only standing by his remarks, but has
expanded on them, adding "government largesse" to his list of things responsible for Alaska's high suicide rate.