Community Responds to Latest Gay Teen Suicide
Community Responds to Latest Gay Teen Suicide
Underscores Urgent Need for Education, Safe Schools & Family Support
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(April 26, 2012, Ogden, Utah) On Monday, April 23, 18-year-old Alex
Smith spoke on a community panel at a screening of "Bullied," telling
the packed room about the bullying his boyfriend, Jack, experienced at
school. What no one in the room yet knew, including Alex, was that
Jack had already taken his own life.
The death of Jack Reese is the latest known suicide of a gay teen in
Northern Utah. One official says, off the record: "It happens here
about once a week," but then quickly adds, "but officially, you know,
it doesn't happen here."
OUTreach is hosting a community response: "A Community Stands up -
Northern Utah Addresses LGBT Bullying and Suicide." It will take place
May 1st, 6:30 pm at the Ogden Amphitheater, 343 E 25th ST, Ogden, UT.
The purpose of the event is for the community to stand in solidarity
with (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) LGBT youth, to speak out
and express grief and outrage at yet another loss of life in Northern
Utah and to witness for the need for immediate change in schools,
churches and society. Until ALL youth are loved and accepted in their
homes, able to attend school without fear of bullying, and know that
their lives are worth living, this community will continue to demand
change.
Numerous community leaders, educators, parents and youth will speak
out for acceptance and love for LGBT youth, including active members
of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. At the request of
Alex Smith, a candlelight vigil in memory of Jack Reese will be held
at the conclusion of the event.
OUTreach Executive Director Marian Edmonds notes: "The youth I work
with all know either a victim of bullying, the loss of a friend to
suicide, and most often, both. These youth are bright, creative, and
loving, yet too often face daily abuse from rejecting families,
bullies at school and the loss of their church family. It is time for
local schools to incorporate proven techniques for eliminating
bullying and homophobia, for churches to preach love and acceptance,
and for parents and families to love and accept their children. Each
loss of life is a loss for all of us, and it must stop now."
Edmonds underscored the need for accurate education and guidance for
ethnically and religiously diverse families and cited the work of the
Family Acceptance Project (FAP) at SF State University – a
research-based education, support and policy initiative that helps
ethnically and religiously diverse families – including Latter-day
Saint families – support their LGBT children in families, schools and
faith communities to prevent suicide, substance abuse, HIV,
homelessness, school victimization and family disruption. FAP uses a
culturally grounded approach that strengthens families and promotes
their LGBT children's well-being. FAP's family education materials are
available online in 3 languages at:
http://familyproject.sfsu.edu/publications
Or for more information, contact OUTreach
medmonds@ogdenoutreach.org
###
--
Marian Edmonds
Executive Director
Ogden OUTreach Resource Center
www.ogdenoutreach.org
--
Together, we can change the world, one mind at a time.
Have a great day,
Tommy
--
Together, we can change the world, one mind at a time.
Have a great day,
Tommy
--
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