More than 140 March in Belleville to Combat Teen Suicide

www.DanielMcCree.Org

From METRO EAST PRIDE News
October 11, 2010
(BELLEVILLE)

by: Colby Kluthe,
Vice-President Metro East Pride 2010-11
(photos by: Colin Murphy)

National Coming Out Day was observed by Metro East Pride (MEP) on October 11th with a Candlelight Vigil and March through historic downtown Belleville.

More than 140 people of all ages and backgrounds gathered at the downtown Carnegie Library in remembrance of recent teen suicides as a result of bullying, and other stresses faced by LGBT youth. A special focus was given to the local impact of suicide, remembering at least 6 individuals locally who have ended their lives in recent years.

The CDC estimates that 149,000 youth between the ages of 10 and 24 receive medical care for selfinflicted injuries at emergency departments across the U.S. each year. *
In June 2010, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed HB4672 into law, requiring all educators in public secondary schools undergo suicide prevention training, to recognize the early signs of individuals most at risk.

“We must do everything we can to protect our youngest citizens,” said Governor Quinn. “This new law will help save young lives by making sure schools are better-equipped to monitor suicidal behavior and know when and how to intervene.” *

Metro East Pride, in partnership with TransHaven, Project Safe-Harbor, Daniel McCree Foundation, Gay-Straight Alliance chapters at SIUE & Blackburn College, and local High Schools joined with Q&A-SWIC,
Club Escapade and PFLAG-Belleville. The overwhelming response by the community at large demonstrates the urgency of the issue, as well as concerns by people throughout Southern Illinois & St. Louis Regionally.

Local media coverage included KSDK-TV of St. Louis, the Belleville News-Democrat, and Vital Voice Magazine. MEP President Sarah Baldwin spoke of our individual responsibility for what we say, and for what we hear around us. The challenge being that each of us has an opportunity to put a stop to harassment in both school and work environments.

National Coming Out Day, began in 1987 and is celebrated globally each year as an outward demonstration of support to those who have not yet "Come Out". The Metro East Region has taken on the mantra "you are not alone" as the Global Cry for 2010 has been "It Get's Better".