Project Light prevents LGBT suicide

By Kayle Dembowski
Western Herald

Project Light is a growing non-profit organization that fights to prevent suicide and suicidal thoughts in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) population, especially in LGBT youth.

Nov. 1 students gathered at the Wesley Foundation for Project Light’s Educational Forum, where listeners learned about suicide, how it affects specifically the LGBT population and what they can do to prevent it.
Last year, Project Light had $5,000 dollars worth of inkind (non-monetary) donations, 1,700 volunteer hours, and 36 crisis referrals documented. Since March they’ve had $2,600 in grassroot (monetary) donations and by June they had 1,000 hits for their Web site.

Many other foundations and organizations were also at the forum providing information and education; organizations such as PFLAG, YWCA, and Ark Services for Youth.

“There are a lot of services in the community that can help, especially in Kalamazoo,” Ben Moe, a representative of Ark Services for Youth said.

A representative from Western Michigan University’s local suicide prevention program, the Western Life Saver, also attended the forum.

“I came because there is lots of information available and because we care about our students,” Allison Buller, a WMU student as well as a member of the Western Life Saver said.

“LGBTs are one of the target groups that are most affected by suicides partly because LGBT suicide goes so unnoticed. They don’t always seek mental health services when they need them.”

The Educational Forum served as both a fundraiser and an educational event where visitors could donate money, listen to a multiple of speakers, and hear the newly formed and named band, Spang, perform live.
Speakers included Adam Taylor, Project Light’s founder and coordinator, Joshua Jacobs, Colette Beighley and Rev. Dr. Julie Nemecek.

Speakers spoke about personal stories, workplace, political and social discrimination against LGBTs as well as the violence that’s happened to them and their suicides.

“Violence and discrimination commonly happens to LGBTs because people are uncomfortable with something
different, some people don’t know anyone who is LGBT and in Michigan with no same sex marriage or civil unions the culture tells people to support this discrimination,” Beighley said.
The event finished off with a live performance from the band Spang.

“Adam called and asked if we could do something for the event so we got a band together and maybe rehearsed 10 times before we had to play today,” Adam F. Carter, a singer for Spang said.

When asked why they thought LGBT suicide is a topic that needs to be noticed singer Carol Zambro replied, “because it’s happening.”

The day was finished off with the band playing a cover of The Beatles “Let it Be” which yielded tears from both the band as well as the entire audience.

For more information about Project Light contact Adam Taylor at adam@projectlight.info or visit their Web site at www.projectlight.info, and for more information about WMU’s local suicide prevention, the Western Life Saver, contact the organization via Facebook.

Short URL: http://www.westernherald.com/?p=1833

Posted by HeraldAdmin on Nov 3 2008. Filed under Campus, News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

Cody Kimball
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