About 200 LGBTs and allies took part in a candlelight vigil on Oct. 20 at Lake Eola Park in reaction to a rash of recent teenager suicides around the country. Many of the victims were gay teenagers who were the targets of anti-gay bullies.
Many LGBT supporters wore purple on that day in a show of solidarity. Jake Green, an advocate for homeless gay youth, organized the vigil. Lisa Rivero, a PFLAG mother, told the story of how her son’s years of bullying affected him and her family; Rev. Lisa Helig, Joy MCC, led the procession in a prayer and Mama Cha Cha sang a song.
Participants held candles and marched around Lake Eola and watched an “It Gets Better” video produced by Watermark Media. The video’s subjects were LGBT adults who survived their teenage years, promising that “It Gets Better.” It’s part of the “It Gets Better” project launched by sex columnist Dan Savage.
See Watermark’s video:
