Chicago Groups To Hold Candlelight Vigil To Honor The Victims Of Anti-LGBTQ Bullying - Lez Get Real

On 8 October, a coalition of grassroots organizations will be gathering together in Chicago to hold a candlelight vigil in honor of the nine LGBTQ teens that have committed suicide in recent weeks due to homophobic bullying. The vigil will be held on DePaul University’s quad near the corner of Fullerton and Seminary in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago.

Jeremy Kauffman, a DePaul University sophmore and event co-organizer said “After the recent suicide of Tyler Clementi, I felt compelled to do something that would raise awareness of this crisis.” The victims of bullying have been as young as thirteen and as old as nineteen. Bullying can also scar individuals for life even if they do not end their own lives.

According to the press release about the vigil “The organizers believe these senseless deaths did not occur in a vacuum, but rather in a society that lacks respect for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people and their right to dignity and equality. This vigil is being held in the hopes that both the LGBTQ and straight communities will come together to remember those lost, to provide support for the living, and to inspire hope and action for the future.”

Anthony Martinez of LGBT Change stated “LGBTQ teens are four times more likely to commit suicide than their straight counterparts. With the outrageous number of deaths this past month it has become very clear that as a community we cannot wait to take action. We must stand together and work harder to address bullying and homophobia in schools. In September alone we lost eight teens. It is truly horrifying“

The organizers of the event request that those attending bring a candle and lighter if they have one, and state that there will be an opportunity to leave behind mementos for those who are being remembered. Andrea Crain of Join The Impact Chicago stated “We want to allow people to offer something in the remembrance of these kids. A flower, a balloon or something personal to you – a remembrance.”

The groups involved in this event include LGBT Change, Join The Impact Chicago, Illinois Safe Schools Alliance, Gay Liberation Network, All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 50 Faggots, Adler Pride, The Civil Rights Agenda, Genderqueer Chicago.