I am Michelle Fruitzey t-shirts now available – proceeds to benefit Milton Public Schools Gay Straight Alliance

Members of the Milton Neighbors Facebook Group might recall this Milton Neighbors thread from a few weeks ago about two of our residents, LeeMichael McLean and Bryan Furze, being harassed by a homophobic neighbor:

The outpouring of support from Milton residents was phenomenal. So phenomenal, that one person took action and through a handwriting analysis, was able to figure out who the culprit was:

“One of our very kind and diligent neighbors was particularly bothered by this story and he decided to take action. He filed a FOIA request for Town records related to our most recent local election…then he searched through them for a match…and he found a very convincing likeness. He reported his findings this morning to MPD and the detective agreed with his assessment.

After paying a visit to one of my neighbors, that person was read their miranda rights, taken into custody and questioned. They eventually admitted to harassing us “as a prank.” The detective referred the matter as a suspected case of criminal harassment to the Quincy Court where it will be reviewed by a clerk.

I can’t think you all enough for the kind words and the way so many of you reached out to us personally. This has been a horrible feeling of being violated in our home for more than five years with no way to take action. Well one of you took action and it helped us immensely. Thank you all for your concern and keep being neighborly.”

Bryan and LeeMichael, true to nature, turned a negative into a positive and have had t-shirts designed to fundraise for the local Gay Straight Alliance at Milton High School and Pierce Middle School:

“Our family faced many years of harassment via mail from an individual that would subscribe for magazines and services with offensive and homophobic names directed to our address. This was a time of apprehension and sadness for our family. This year (2021), after a hiatus, the individual again signed us up or a subscription under the name Michelle Fruitzey. For the first time, we were able to get a handwriting sample.

Our town as a community and with the help of the local police was able to identify the perpetrator and arrest him for years of criminal harassment.

Our family decided to turn a bad situation into a great situation by “owning” the name Michelle Fruitzey and having a fundraiser for the local GSA in our town schools by selling t-shirts. Let’s educate against bullying in all forms, especially against GLBT youth. #iammichellefruitzey”

How to order:

Visit fundly.com/iammichellefruitzey to donate and order.

Shirts are available in the colors shown in the photo above in sizes ranging from youth sizes through XXXXXXL. Shirts are $30 each with ALL proceeds going to the Gay Straight Alliance at Milton High School and Pierce Middle School. For those able and willing, please feel free to add $5.00 to your order to cover the fees of the fundraising website. Shirts will be delivered in 2-4 weeks. 

First batch of orders are due by June 4th!

Ordering instructions:

1. Visit fundly.com/iammichellefruitzey and donate $30 per shirt and an optional $5.00 per order to help cover fees.
2. Include in the Fundly donation NOTES section your t-shirt order – including address and t-shirt(s) (color(s) & size(s).
3. Send an email to [email protected] with your t-shirt order including address and your t-shirt(s) (color(s), size(s)
4. T shirts will be delivered in 2-4 weeks.
5. Wear your t-shirt proudly and enjoy!

Please share far and wide – let’s help Michelle Fruitzey end bullying!