Episode 119: Giovanni Melton (Part 2)

Suffer the Little Children

Suffer the Little Children Pod

True Crime, Social Sciences, Science, Society & Culture

4.6 • 937 Ratings

🗓️ 6 July 2022

⏱️ 44 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Last week, I told you the story of 14-year-old Giovanni Melton, who was shot to death by his father on November 2, 2017. Wendell Melton claimed the shooting was an accident, but many, including Giovanni’s mother, believe the murder was perpetrated by a man who couldn’t stand having a gay son.

In this episode, you’ll hear my conversation with Giovanni’s mom, Veronica Melton, who has channeled her grief and anger at the senseless murder of her baby into advocating for other LGBTQ+ youth of color with the hope of preventing future such tragedies.

This is part two of the heartbreaking story of Giovanni Melton.

Links discussed in this episode:

Giovanni Melton Foundation website: https://giovannimelton.org/

Giovanni Melton Foundation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GiovanniMeltonFoundation.org/

Giovanni Melton Foundation on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giovannimeltonfoundation/?hl=en

Moms Demand Action: https://momsdemandaction.org/

Everytown Survivor Network: https://www.everytown.org/organization/survivor-network/

National Action Network: https://nationalactionnetwork.net/

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Transcript

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0:00.0	Oh, he's cute. Mr. I can never sleep when I'm traveling. He's hugging his pillow like a sloth on a branch.
0:10.0	He couldn't sleep before. Now listen to him. Sounds like an elephant with a chest infection.
0:15.0	Well, they call him a dreamer. And now they're right.
0:19.0	All aboard, Mr. I can never sleep when I'm travelling find all the comfort you need in the quiet
0:25.5	lounge Piando ferries that is another way this podcast contains descriptions
0:31.8	of violence against children and adult language and is not suitable for all audiences.
0:37.0	Listen or discretion is advised. Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh Hi everyone and welcome to suffer the little children the Crime Podcast, giving voices back to the victims of child abuse, and shining a harsh spotlight on the parents, guardians, and caretakers who silenced them.
1:31.0	I'm your host, Lane, and this is episode 119, Giovanni Melton, part two.
1:37.0	Last week, I told you the story of 14-year-old Giovanni Melton, who was shot to death by his father on November 2nd, 2017.
1:46.6	Wendell Melton claimed the shooting was an accident, but many, including Giovanni's mother,
1:51.4	believed the murder was perpetrated by a man who couldn't stand having a gay son.
1:55.6	In this episode, you'll hear my conversation with Giovanni's mom, Veronica Milton, who has channeled her grief and anger at the senseless murder of her baby into advocating for other LGBTQ plus youth of color with the hope of preventing future such tragedies.
2:11.0	This is part two of the heartbreaking story of Giovanni Melton.
2:15.0	Because I'm recording this episode a week ahead, no patron shoutouts today.
2:20.0	Again, I apologize for my voice, since I am just getting over a cold this week.
2:26.4	Without further ado, please enjoy my conversation with a true warrior mama and one of the most
2:31.6	inspiring people I've ever had the pleasure of speaking with.
2:34.4	My guest on the podcast today is Veronica Melton, Giovanni's mother. Thank you so much for joining me.
2:47.0	Thank you and thank you for having me here today.
2:49.0	Absolutely. I'm excited to talk to you because you have done a lot of work to advocate for the
2:55.8	LGBTQ youth community and it's it's really impressive everything that you've
3:00.1	accomplished in just five short years.
	...

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