Spirit Day
Oct. 2nd, 2010 06:32 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
bardic_ladyReposted from ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
upstart_crow ETA: Go here to see what this is about. I'm not posting the graphic because karnythia makes a good point that some of the photos used in it are of minors, and permission may not have been given to whomever started this to use those images.
Still, I think this is a good gesture, and I hope one that will not be meaningless and just something to comfort people who feel grief over these deaths. Worse, I hope that this won't become ultimately a means for well-meaning straight cis folks to pat themselves on the backs and feel like they've Done Something. Worse still, I really hope that the folks who used these images won't cause even more grief to the boys' families.
Don't get me wrong. Comfort is important, but it's privileged to focus on comforting ourselves when we have work to do in helping LGBTQ kids and teens.
The text that came with the image reads as follows: On October 20th, 2010, we will wear purple in honor of the [9] gay boys who committed suicide in recent weeks/months due to homophobic abuse in their homes at at their schools. Purple represents Spirit on the LGBTQ flag and that's exactly what we'd like all of you to have with you: spirit. Please know that times will get better and that you will meet people who will love you and respect you for who you are, no matter your sexuality. Please wear purple on October 20th. Tell your friends, family, co-workers, neighbors and schools.
upstart_crow ETA: Go here to see what this is about. I'm not posting the graphic because karnythia makes a good point that some of the photos used in it are of minors, and permission may not have been given to whomever started this to use those images.Still, I think this is a good gesture, and I hope one that will not be meaningless and just something to comfort people who feel grief over these deaths. Worse, I hope that this won't become ultimately a means for well-meaning straight cis folks to pat themselves on the backs and feel like they've Done Something. Worse still, I really hope that the folks who used these images won't cause even more grief to the boys' families.
Don't get me wrong. Comfort is important, but it's privileged to focus on comforting ourselves when we have work to do in helping LGBTQ kids and teens.
The text that came with the image reads as follows: On October 20th, 2010, we will wear purple in honor of the [9] gay boys who committed suicide in recent weeks/months due to homophobic abuse in their homes at at their schools. Purple represents Spirit on the LGBTQ flag and that's exactly what we'd like all of you to have with you: spirit. Please know that times will get better and that you will meet people who will love you and respect you for who you are, no matter your sexuality. Please wear purple on October 20th. Tell your friends, family, co-workers, neighbors and schools.