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Out Youth Vigil
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Out Youth hosts vigil to mourn recent deaths of GLBTQ youth
What: Vigil for Lawrence King & Cameron McWilliams
When: Saturday, February 23rd, 6:00PM
Where: Out Youth, 909 E. 49 1/2 St., Austin, 78751
On February 12th, 15-year old Lawrence King was shot and killed by a fellow classmate in Oxnard, California. Larry was perceived to be gay and gender non-conforming, and his murder is being prosecuted as a hate crime. Earlier this month, 10-year old Cameron McWilliams took his own life in his South Yorkshire home after telling his mother he wanted to be a girl.
Community members are invited to gather at Out Youth on Saturday, February 23rd, at 6:00 pm, for a vigil held in memory of Larry, Cameron, and others. During the vigil, community members will be advocating for LGBT youth, safe schools, and suicide prevention.
"The tragic loss of these young people reminds us of the task before us. As a community and as a society, we need to make it just as safe for GLBTQ youth as for everyone else. Out Youth and our community partners will not rest in the fight against bullying, violence, and suicide," said Matt Smith, Executive Director of Out Youth.
Who: Since 1990, Out Youth has provided a safe space for GLBTQ youth and allies to receive the support needed to develop positive self-images, empower themselves, and become active citizens in their community. Out Youth is the only place in Central Texas dedicated to the needs of GLBTQ youth, and is a statewide leader in the effort to promote safe schools. www.outyouth.org
Co-Sponsors:
ALLGO envisions a just and equitable society that celebrates and nurtures vibrant people of color queer cultures. www.allgo.org
Atticus Circle educates and mobilizes fair-minded straight people to advance equal rights for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender partners, parents, and their children. www.AtticusCircle.org
The Campus Alliance for Progress nurtures young leaders and assists in building the capacity of their organizations. www.campusallianceforprogress.org
Equality Texas works on the elimination of discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity / expression. Equality Texas values justice, compassion, liberty, responsibility, and equality for every Texan. www.equalitytexas.org
The mission of Get the Word Out is to provide the LGBT community with effective and responsible anti-violence support while promoting social acceptance of LGBT people on the Texas-Mexico border. www.freewebs.com/thewordout
The Human Rights Campaign represents a grassroots force of more than 700,000 members and supporters nationwide. As the largest national gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, HRC envisions an America where GLBT people are ensured of their basic equal rights, and can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community. www.hrc.org
MCC Austin is a progressive Christian church sharing a message of God's all-inclusive love. Our community is dedicated to non-racist, non-sexist, non-homophobic values of Christian love and service, frequent social and educational events, opportunities for community service and activism, and lots of fellowship and fun. www.mccaustin.com
PFLAG promotes the health and well-being of GLBTQ persons, their families and friends through support, education, and advocacy, to end discrimination and to secure equal civil rights. www.pflag-austin.org
Soulforce is a national civil rights and social justice organization whose vision is freedom for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people from religious and political oppression through the practice of relentless nonviolent resistance. www.soulforce.org
Texas GSA Network, a program of Out Youth, empowers youth activists to fight homophobia and transphobia in schools through Gay-Straight Alliance clubs. This statewide program supports GSA leaders throughout Texas in creating change in their schools through connections, resources, and trainings. Contact Monica Ann Arrambide, Director of Programming at monica@outyouth.org www.texasgsa.org
Transgender Advocates of Central Texas (TACT) is an advocacy group dedicated to furthering the cause of Gender Diverse people in Central Texas. We will accomplish this through advocacy and education in both public and private forums. Through our efforts we will strive to halt discrimination through social, legal, legislative and corporate education. www.tactx.org
Youth First Texas, located in Dallas, provides group interaction and individual support for GLBTQ youth by providing age appropriate activities, programs, and resources that facilitate empowerment and self acceptance. www.youthfirsttexas.org
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