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Nation Goes Purple To Support Gay Youth

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Tyler Clementi - Photo: CBS

Tyler Clementi (credit: CBS)

NEW YORK (CBS 2) — The recent death of a Rutgers University student has, in part, helped inspire people across the country to wear purple Wednesday.

The “Go Purple” movement is meant to call attention to the deaths of six teenagers who committed suicide after being taunted because of their sexual orientation.

Canadian teenager Brittany McMillan created a Facebook page for ”Spirit Day” hoping to bring awareness to the recent suicides. Not only did the event garner thousands of followers, and other similar events on Facebook — including a page that had nearly two million participants, but other organizations also joined in on the movement.

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation says the event will also show the hundreds of thousands of LGBT youth who face the same pressures and bullying, that there is a vast community of people who support them.

GLAAD’s website features a “Wear Purple” page allowing people to turn their profile pictures purple on Facebook or Twitter.

The color was selected because purple symbolizes “spirit” on the rainbow flag, a symbol for LGBT Pride that was created by Gilbert Baker in 1978.

Rutgers freshman Tyler Clementi committed suicide last month after his roommate and another student allegedly used a webcam to stream online video of him in a romantic encounter with another man.

In New York City, FIERCE, a membership-based organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer youth of color, will rally in front of City Hall on Wednesday to call on Mayor Michael Bloomberg and City Council Speaker Christine Quinn to name October LGBTQ Youth Empowerment Month.

In a press release, the group said they will be joined by New York State Senator Tom Duane, Councilmember Daniel Dromm, and other elected officials to create a space for LGBTQ youth to speak out about recent incidents, talk about solutions they want to see, and how to achieve these changes.

In a video message posted on Tuesday, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton addressed the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

“First of all, hang in there, and ask for help,” Clinton said. “Your life is so important to your family, your friends and to your country.”

“There’s so many opportunities for you to develop your talents and make your contributions,” Clinton said. “These opportunities will increase, because the story of America is the story of people coming together to tear down barriers, stand up for rights and insist on equality.”

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  • reinier

    Charlotte, hm mm, if this is the new world order you seem to agree on, I’m happy if i don’t have to long to live with it.
    I care about others and don’t interfere in their life, but there is a normal natural order we are living by. history has proven if you try to change that, it usually brings disaster.
    You have kids you say. would you be happy if they are gay or would you be more happy if they are normal.
    What would you prefer?

    • Motherslove

      I am a mother of a transgender child. He is grown and going to college. He has a wonderful future ahead of him despite everyone else’s opinion of lifestyle. My son does not comply to your view as normal, but to me he is everything and I am proud. He is different, strong and courageous with a extremely high IQ. Can you say the same for your child? As a mother or father, would you be strong enough to accept your child no matter how different they are? I know I would want my son any other way. Thank You!

      • motherslove

        I wouldn’t want my son any other way…Sorry for the typos. Just got off of work.

  • bob

    Yes everyone, ignore Bob, he has an opinion that differs from yours.

  • SlapPatty

    @bob I’m not trying to badmouth you. I don’t even know you. You make my point exactly. You are incapable of debate, whether using colloquial language or the Queen’s English. Again, I implore you to look up circular logic. Saying “it isn’t right because it isn’t” is not offensive because the language is colloquial, it is offensive because you have wasted everyone’s time by not “debating a subject” as you claim you are trying to do. You have said nothing at all.

  • bob

    @tbo, what hatefull thing have i preached about tbo?

    • Shane

      you hate gay people. end of story. DUUUHHH!!!!!

  • Frejnhy

    Folks, ignore “bob”. He is a pathetic attention seeker, who goes to an article like this, which is positive, posts negative things knowing that most of the people going to an article like this won’t share his views, so he can get attention. And repeatedly posting. bob, get a life. I’m sorry Mommy and Daddy didn’t give you enough attention.

  • bob

    @slappatty, look up colloquial language. im not writing an essay for college, im posting comments. stick to the subject matter. its funny how people try to badmouth you instead of just debating a subject.

  • TBo

    No Bob, the blood is on yours! You are an awful person and saying you don’t preach hatred is like saying something untrue and crossing your fingers behind your back. It is immature and unintelligent.

  • C.J.

    Gay straight whatever, everybody is still human.

  • bob

    i dont preach haterd but i also dont preach acceptance of behavior that is immoral. just remember mr. gay rights advocate, these kids blood are on your hands.

  • SlapPatty

    @Bob I’m not going to tell them its ok because it’s not. Wow! You really are a thinker. Why bother posting something when you have nothing to say? Look up circular logic. It will have you chasing your tail for days.

  • bob

    its cbs. what do you expect!!!!!

  • OhHenry

    @Big Hec What about the millions of infertile straight people who cannot reproduce? Applying your logic, it should be immoral, “both through church and law” to permit their unions. The world is overpopulated. Maybe God is making some people infertile and some people gay for a reason. Of course, you have a direct line to God, so why don’t you just enlighten us to His plan.

  • Joe

    get a life !Leave your trash at the dump!

  • pochemunyet

    Excellent, Reinier.

  • bob

    I dont hate gays, im just saying its people like you that tell these kids its normal to be gay that are leading them down a path of devastation. Its your fault these kids commited suicide. their blood is on your hands. i love all people but im not going to tell them its ok to live like that because it is not.

    • pochemunyet

      Right again, Bob! It is wrong to convince people who are destroying themselves to proceed.

  • pochemunyet

    Too bad Bob’s comment, and mine, have been removed. Censorship of views that don’t correlate to PC is rampant on this site.

  • Joe

    I’LL be wearing PURPLE!!!!!!!!Yes,God will Judge…he will judge those that preach Hatred and injustice towards gays!!!!!!!!!!!!Proud Gay father……and always will be….AND will fight with every ounce of strenth for my rights and those who’s rights are not being heard!!!!!

  • truespeak

    Barrre–

    They commit suicide because they are weak. There are many other people who are under much more difficult situation but still choosing to live. You rarely see poor kids live in ghettos who need to dodge bullets every day commit suicide.

  • Big Hec

    C’mon people. Man was born with a reproductive tool. Women were born to accept this tool, thus is the reproduction process. We were all made to love one another, thus that is what makes us human. Until same sex humans can reproduce, it should be immoral, both through church and law to permit civil unions. If you want to be openly gay, by all means, that is your choice.

  • Barre Flynn

    The reason they commit suicide is because our world forbids them to have a place where who they are can be accepted. The moral debate over their beings creates a deep sense of dispair. Our society with it’s moral advancements should grow up and realize the horrible injustice that is being done to these young people

  • Charlotte

    Bob, wake up and join the 21st Century! The problem with our country today is all you people running around claiming to have “conservative christian values” — but then from the other side of your mouthes, you preach prejudice and hate. Where does your god tell you it’s okay to harrass, torture, or murder someone because they are gay? Or anything else that is not exactly like you? HATE IS NOT A FAMILY VALUE !!!! All people deserve the basic human right to be treated fairly and equally, and with respect from their fellow human beings. There is nothing wrong with being who you are!!! (PS: I’m straight and married.)

  • pochemunyet

    Johnny, that was silly. Bob is exactly right.

  • johnny

    ani.. they dont feel ACCEPTED!

  • johnny

    wrong bob… people like you are promoting hatred and this eventuates into societal insecurities.. stop externalizing your own internal shame regarding your body and who you are.

  • Ani

    They just do not feel complete

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