Statement by Ryan Keith Skipper's stepfather, Lynn Mulder

My name is Lynn Mulder and I am one of Ryan Keith Skipper’s parents. Before I begin my comments, I’d like to share with you two quotes that I feel are extremely relevant to why we’re here today …

• * Faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love. -  1 Corinthians 13
• * We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. - Thomas Jefferson in 1776.
  
  It is clear that both theologically and politically hate is wrong!
  
  I would like to tell you a story about a person, a person who is very much like you, me or most anyone. They are mostly good with a few flaws thrown in. This person had a reasonably happy childhood, made friends easily. Avery social person who liked to talk And They made it through school through the guidance of several special teachers.
  
  After graduation there was a worrisome period for their parents. They drifted from Part time job to part time job, always employed and a good worker.  This person also drifted from room mate to roommate trying to figure out this thing called life.
  
  By age 25 this person had a steady and enjoyable job and was valued by co-workers. This person had gone back to school made good grades and had a start on a career. The first new car had just been bought. By now this person had hundreds of friends and claimed to be “my best friend” by dozens. That said this person seem to me to be a valuable and productive member of society and this community.
  
  I have told you the basic and what should be the important things of a person’s character. I am proud to tell you the person I speak about is Ryan Keith Skipper and I am glad I had opportunity to tell him I am proud of him. Now I am going to tell you some of the details about Ryan which should not have mattered, but did. Ryan was a young gay man. Which is allegedly the reason for planning and committing his brutal murder; his body dumped on a dirt road and then tried to sell his car. To me that says Hate! Horrendous hate!
  
  I am told that hate crimes toward gay people are growing significantly. Statistically it is the second highest hate crime committed. No one should fear injustice because of age, race, homelessness, gender, or sexual preference! These things alone do not define a person’s character. No one should fear going to school because they are different. No one should fear family dynamics by “coming out” nor should there be religious separation by those who profess love.
  
  So why are we here? I hope it is to honor Ryan and to help each other heal. I also hope it is to raise awareness of hate crimes and do something about it. You know it starts with you, at home, at work, at church, and in the voting booth. Hold those responsible to be responsible and support those who are. Take prejudice and turn it into learning, be your self and be of good character. Remember Ryan Skipper, how he touched Peoples lives’ and you try to do the same.

Comments

[Melanie]

This is very nice to have posted, but Lynn Mulder is Ryan's STEPFATHER - Pat Mulder is his mother.

[Steve Rothaus]

Melanie, thank you for correcting this. I've updated the posting.

[Jason williams]

I have to say on an last minute trip to Central Fla on my first night here to Learn of Ryan's Murder in such a horrible and unjustice way. I knew Ryan In his early years of confusion and Always new he would be strong enought to embrace himself and trust in those around him to LOVE as he is...And That is why I loved him..He had a great relationship that ran it's coaurse. NO ONE deserves such brutal treatment.But most of Ryan. He was a loving Man of his friends and Family and I know I will carry a hole in my heart now for one of hte true loves of my life..RYAN you will be missed by me and MANY others...I just can't express the joy and love he brought to my life...If in anyway I can do anything I can do for his family day or night or to help to make sure this never happens again.I will be here.
Jason Williams 760 937 3175

[Piper]

Ryan and I became good friends only about a year before the tragedy. We used to go to the clubs together, and he would spend the night at my apartment very often. I just wish that I could have known Ryan longer. He brought such a special light into my life that I didn't realize until he was gone. There will forever be a hole in my heart that is left for Ryan. You are loved and missed so much. I thank God for giving Joseph Bearden 2nd degree murder. I hope he rots in hell.