Seth Owen, an 18-year-old gay teen from Jacksonville, Florida and the co-valedictorian of his high school class, was thrown out of his home earlier this year by his parents after refusing to abide by their religion.

Owen told News4Jax that his parents discovered he was gay after seeing a photo on his phone. After that, they began demanding he attend a church that has anti-LGBTQ views and sent him to counseling: “They made it clear the intention was to make me straight. (That) was their end goal.”

Owen maintained a 4.16 GPA despite being homeless and is trying to raise the funds to attend Georgetown University.

A former teacher launched a GoFundMe campaign for Owen’s tuition which has already raised more than $25,000 (tuition is $77,000 but Owen is receiving some financial assistance from the university). You can find it HERE.

Wrote Owen’s teacher Jane Martin:

I taught Seth biology and mentored him throughout...