a vigil in honor of several gay men and women who recently committed suicide because of hate speech and homophobic bullying.
Approximately 300 people filed through the candle-lit College Green last night to the sounds of chirping crickets, rustling leaves and rumbling cars.
The solemn marchers were attendees of Flames of Love a vigil in honor of several gay men and women who recently committed suicide because of hate speech and homophobic bullying.
It's such a shame that teenagers practically children
are treated so differently just for being different that they can't exist in this world
said Dustin Collins, a graduate student studying film.
The walk ended at the Scripps Amphitheater, where a cellist played near candles placed in the shape of a heart. Members of sponsoring groups then gave short verbal biographies of each of the 12 recent suicide victims.
The vigil was sponsored by Graduate Student Senate, OU Little Monsters, Student Senate, the LGBT Center, United Campus Ministries, ALLY and Open Doors.
I think (the number of sponsors) shows that there's a diverse array of student organizations that represent a diverse array of students
said Jesse Neader, the president of Student Senate.
In order to honor the LGBT community's spirit - signified by the color purple on the rainbow flag - attendees wore purple shirts, scarves and sweatshirts. Megan Villegas, however, donned a bright purple wig for the day.
It's easy to throw on a purple shirt and for no one to notice
but more people have asked me about (the wig) today. ... It's a conversation starter
and that's really the point
said Villegas, an Ohio University English instructor.
During the vigil, Evan Young, spiritual director of UCM, said a prayer for the victims of the bullying and for the unity of the friends and members of the LGBT community. Sean Martin, the Student Senate LGBT Commissioner, said that unity was one of the goals of the vigil.
It's a great way to get different members of the community ... and people who aren't members of the LGBT community to come together to spearhead this event
Martin said.
After speeches from members of sponsor groups, Mickey Hart, the director of the LGBT Center, ended the vigil by urging audience members to fight bullying with compassion and to try to understand that bullies often lash out because of their own insecurities.
I encourage you to think about the victims and the bullies
Hart said.
