A Note to MJ from His Sister, Jodie Beth

To my big brother MJ,

Thank you for a lifetime of unconditional love and support. You're always on my side, in my corner and there to listen.

By the time I was born you were already 12, so I don't know what you experienced before than, but the message I got was that whoever you were we loved you without judgment.

I am sure this isn't the kind of response you got from everyone and when I see the stories about bullies or hear accounts of what happens to LGBT youth it breaks my heart thinking someone could ever treat you that way.

I don't really think of you as my gay brother because thats just one piece of the amazing person you are.....

That's probably what I'm most thankful for that because of you I grew up valuing love, family and the ability to see someone for who they are, not who they love.

You are my shining star on the west coast. Not a day goes by I don't think about you. I am truly blessed to have you and my brother in law, Mike in my life. Thanks for being such a beacon of hope, and love to me.

Xoxoxo, your baby sister,

Jodie Beth