Coinciding with Suicide Prevention Week, May 6th - 12th, 2001, Affirmation sponsored "No More Deaths! No More Silence!" vigils focused on the harmful effects on sexual minorities when powerful forces within a culture send damaging messages by their actions and their written and verbal communications. The vigils, held in major cities in the US and one in Mexico, highlighted the value of love and education to overcome the resulting problems and how to help strengthen the families affected.
Although dedicated to the memory of three young Mormon men, the vigil was open to the broader community. Speaking at the event where representatives from a variety of government, religious and social-change organizations including: Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), Soulforce, Gamofites (Gay Mormon Fathers), State Youth Suicide Prevention, United Church of Christ, American Friends Service Committee (a Quaker organization), and large number of individuals who shared the names of loved ones lost to suicide.
Pictures
A few photos of some of the vigil locations.
Vigil at the entrance to the Portland temple
Vigil at the chapel in Los Altos where Stuart Matis ended his life
60 people attended the vigil in Salt Lake
A moment of silence and tears
The Portland temple security staff made it clear we were not welcome
by setting out cones to mark the boundary line and called the police
The procession in Los Altos was preceeded and followed by police who
were there for our safety and to protect our right to free speech
This church representative came out from the temple to photograph
our gathering in a typical attempt at intimidation
Rick Fernandez addresses the group in Portland
Scott McKay, our Executive Director (center), joined the group in
Los Altos
Memory Grove in Salt Lake City
Reports
Here's a few reports from various vigil locations.
