A vigil will be held tomorrow evening in response to the recent spate of teenage suicides that resulted from bullying and harassment about their sexual orientation. The event will take place at 5:30pm on the corner of Granada and Ocean in Belmont Shore. Attendees are encouraged to wear purple and bring a single-stem white flower.
Across the country, young members of the LGBT (lesbian, gay, transsexual and bisexual) community have taken their own lives at an alarming rate. In many cases, it became clear that the victims had been relentlessly bullied, harassed or humiliated by their peers because of sexual orientation. The issue has been a prominent fixture on news channels across the country and sparked the popular It Gets Better campaign that seeks to reassure and encourage youth going through a difficult time.
The vigil will be hosted by 1st District Councilmember Robert Garcia, The Center Long Beach and other organizations. Ron Sylvester, the Chairman of the Board for The Center Long Beach, said the event will go on as planned barring a downpour.
“We have to ensure that all people, and especially all children, are treated with respect, dignity, and support,” said Garcia, in a press release. “Our kids deserve to learn in an environment that is safe for everyone.”
Long Beach is home to a significant LGBT community and has been a prominent location in Proposition 8 fight and the effort for same-sex couples to win equal rights. Garcia, one of two openly-gay councilmembers, last year introduced an Equal Benefits Ordinance that encourages the City to do business with companies offering equal benefits to same-sex partners of their employees. It was passed.
“We have to ensure that all people, and especially all children, are treated with respect, dignity, and support,” said Garcia, in a press release. “Our kids deserve to learn in an environment that is safe for everyone.”
