On October 20th, 2010, we will wear purple in honor of the 6 gay boys who committed suicide in recent weeks/months due to homophobic abuse in their homes and at their schools

Yesterday, Luz Royal sent around a note about wearing purple tomorrow for Domestic Violence Month. 

Many of us will also be wearing purple tomorrow because an informal, grassroots movement has sprung up around the recent rash of gay teen suicides.  People have been asked to wear purple tomorrow to honor the memory of those who have committed suicide.  This event doesn't seem to be associated with any particular organization, but many folks are jumping on board (although it is GLSEN's ally week).  You can read more about it here:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=122462384475928&ref=ts

If you don't feel like clicking through to Facebook, this is the text of the invitation:


"On October 20th, 2010, we will wear purple in honor of the 6 gay boys who committed suicide in recent weeks/months due to homophobic abuse in their homes and at their schools. Purple represents Spirit on the LGBTQ flag and that’s exactly what we’d like all of you to have with you: spirit. Please know that times will get better and that you will meet people who will love you and respect you for who you are, no matter your sexuality. Please wear purple on October 20th. Tell your friends, family, co-workers, neighbors and schools. RIP Tyler Clementi, Asher Brown, Seth Walsh, Justin Aaberg, Raymond Chase and Billy Lucas. You are loved.

Join this event and invite everyone on your friends list. Don't let their deaths be for nothing. Let it mean something, and let's do something to change this country for once."

Also, here are a few starting classroom resources, should you need them:
GLSEN
http://www.glsen.org/cgi-bin/iowa/all/home/index.html
Trevor Project
http://www.thetrevorproject.org/
YES **local, here in NYC
http://www.gaycenter.org/youth
On campus, the Straight and Gay Alliance (SAGA) meets on Wednesdays during club hour.
So, many reasons to wear purple tomorrow.  Why not support both causes?

Best,
J. Elizabeth Clark, Ph.D.