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 Join us for a community gathering and press conference:
Monday – October 11, 2010 at 10:00 am
(please arrive by 9:45 am so we can be sure to start on time)
One Voice (Gay) Community Center
725 W Indian School Road, Suite #125
Phoenix, AZ 85013
602-712-0111
Click here to get directions
Dear Friends,
Many of us have joined together for many reasons over the years. Today I ask you from the depths of my heart to please consider joining us Monday morning, October 11.
You have all heard by now the tragic news that Rutgers University freshman Tyler Clementi killed himself by jumping off a bridge after his roommate secretly recorded him with another male student, then broadcast the video online.
Tyler's death as a victim of anti-gay harassment was just one of a number of recent suicides among teenagers who were ruthlessly "bullied to death."
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth are up to four times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers, according to the Massachusetts 2006 Youth Risk Survey. A 2009 study, "Family Rejection as a Predictor of Negative Health Outcomes" led by Dr. Caitlin Ryan and conducted as part of the Family Acceptance Project at San Francisco State University, shows that adolescence who were rejected by their families for being LGBT were 8.4 times more likely to report having attempted suicide. And for every completed suicide by a young person, it is estimated that 100 to 200 attempts are made (2003 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey).
The recent suicides of several gay students have made national headlines. Yet individuals throughout our communities are continuing with a verbal rampage against gays.
Boyd K. Packer, the second-highest leader in the Mormon Church, said in a sermon broadcast to millions this week that same-sex attraction is "impure and unnatural" and can be overcome.
The evidence is clear with the suicides of teens as young as 13 that words like these can do unimaginable damage.
We are past the point in time to say enough! Let’s work together to create empathy and compassion for our students who feel threatened by their peers.
Join us for a community gathering and press conference:
Monday – October 11, 2010 at 10:00 am
(please arrive by 9:45 am so we can be sure to start on time)
One Voice (Gay) Community Center
725 W Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ 85013
By speaking out together, we can make a positive impact in our community. We can self-identify. We can call on all members of our community to support the creation of a positive youth culture. Hate is taught. You are born gay and you are taught hate. We are all responsible to work to end the hate — I ask you to support the creation of a positive youth culture and that starts with being willing to stand up, step out and be counted. Gay or straight, black, brown, red or yellow, democrat, republican or independent.
We are calling on our community to work to end the hate, end the tormenting, end the bullying of our students and take responsibility to create a safe and secure nurturing environment for our youth to grow and prosper. And we can ensure that the young people who heard this sermon know that it is absolutely wrong and, fearfully and profoundly misguided.
Comments like these fuel the bullying, harassment, and violence that plague our schools.
Comments like these are exactly what make LGBT students think there's no way out but suicide — that their parents will reject them, that their communities will shun them, and that living openly will bring pain or violence.
Support the creation of a positive youth culture. Help us speak out so young people understand the truth — and so all adults, faith leaders, moms and dads know that spreading this poison puts lives at risk.
Join gay and straight political, community and faith leaders, teachers, doctors, lawyers, nurses, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, sisters, brothers to call forth an end to hate and bullying.
Thank you for helping take a stand for the truth and creating a positive youth culture.
We look forward to seeing you Monday at 10am.
The FUSION Foundation
Annie Loyd, founder/ceo
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