Queer action vigil highlights recent suicides

Hillary Huber
Contributing Writer

VCU’s Queer Action held a candlelight vigil Monday night outside of Hibbs Hall to commemorate a recent string of suicides related to lesbian, gay, transgendered and queer harassment.

Tributes were made to nearly a dozen young men, all of whom committed suicide after being harassed about their sexuality. Organizers constructed a clothesline, where people could attach a small piece of paper with their story, thoughts, or experience with LGBT harassment.

Cameron Hunt, a senior advisor for Queer Action, said, “While the media is covering a handful of these suicides, it’s nowhere near representative of the actual number of young men and women who kill themselves because of being harassed.”

Hunt encouraged audience members to spread the word about support services, such as the Trevor Project–a 24-hour hotline for gay young adults, and the counseling services available to all VCU students. He said that the harassment gay people endure is outrageous.

“I went home to help a friend move,” he recalled. “He was openly gay and well known in the community. When we were riding into town, a group of people threw drinks at our car and called him names like ‘faggot.'”

Van Vox, a sophomore psychology and women’s studies major, said, “It’s disheartening. It’s 2010 and kids 18 or 19 years old feel so much pressure from society that they have to commit suicide.”

Vox said that although the students who participated in the vigil were doing a great thing, it’s not good enough. “Richmond is a pretty liberal city. But what about places like Houston, Texas, where people aren’t as accepting?

Kevin Clay, editor in chief of gayRVA.com and a 2005 VCU graduate, said, “It’s events like these are important to show that there’s a voice for gays in the community.”

As the vigil concluded, Hunt ended the night with an apology. He said as a community, they had failed the young men who decided to end their lives rather than deal with the hardships society forced them to endure.

“Students should come to the Queer Action meetings and participate in Eqaulity for Virginia. Get educated. Talk to legislators and local politicians. When we have supportive administration, there is more inclusiveness, especially on campus,” said Hunt.