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Thursday, October 7, 2010
News 'It Gets Better' vigil to be held to remember gay teen suicide victims
Posted By Kimberly Lawson on Thu, Oct 7, 2010 at 4:56 PM
Sex and love columnist Dan Savage recently put out the call for folks to create and submit videos encouraging gay teens who are being bullied that it's not always going to be this way. It's called the It Gets Better Project.
He writes:
Nine out of 10 gay teenagers experience bullying and harassment at school, and gay teens are four times likelier to attempt suicide. Many LGBT kids who do kill themselves live in rural areas, exurbs and suburban areas, places with no gay organizations or services for queer kids.I wish I could have talked to this kid for five minutes. I wish I could have told Billy that it gets better. I wish I could have told him that, however bad things were, however isolated and alone he was, it gets better.
On Oct. 11, also known as National Coming Out Day, local LGBT organizations and other community groups are partnering to present “It Gets Better,” a candlelight vigil and concert to remember LGBT teens and young people who fell victim to anti-gay harassment, bullying, depression and suicide. The vigil will be held at the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church (1900 The Plaza), starting at 7:30 p.m.
Here is the video Dan and his husband made to encourage young people dealing with harassment.
(Important) Side Note: If you know of anyone being bullied, it's important to encourage them to reach out for help. Direct them to The Trevor Project at 1-866 4-U-TREVOR (1-866-488-7386), a confidential, toll-free, suicide hotline for gay and questioning youth.
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