Local citizens gather in memory of lives lost to gay teen suicide

Over a hundred people attended a candlelight vigil on First Avenue last night in order to take a stand against homophobic bullying.

People of every age and race stood together between the 3900 and 4400 blocks of First Ave Wednesday night beginning around 6 p.m.

Most were wearing purple and holding candles. One man held a sign that read “Please stop teaching hate”.

Those on First Avenue gathered in conjunction with a larger national movement to call attention to the bullying and discrimination suffered by gay youths.

People all over the country wore purple yesterday in memory of the lives lost to the recent suicides of gay youths. Over 1.7 million people signed up the national event's Facebook page.

The suicides of five gay teenage boys have been reported in the last month.

Daniel Lang, 26, of Cedar Rapids, organized the candlelight vigil with the help of Hamburger Mary's Bar and Grille in Cedar Rapids.

Lang said he heard about the national event that called for people to wear purple, but he wanted to do more.

“Kids dying is never okay, no matter how you feel about homosexuality,” Lang said.

Lang said he doesn't think schools are adequately prepared to handle the abuse and harassment that gay students endure.

“They're not required to, so they don't,” Lang said.

A discussion about the resources available to LGBT youth was held at Hamburger Mary's after the candlelight vigil.

Rhonda Winistorfer, the owner of Hamburger Mary's, said that she didn't hesitate to get involved with the event.

“It's really important to support the youth and let them know that the things they are experiencing in school are temporary and to show them that they have these resources, “ Winistorfer said.

Inside the restaurant, local churches and support groups had booths showcasing their services.

Lang said attendees also recorded video statements for the It Gets Better Project. The project encourages people to post encouraging videos on YouTube that aim to help gay youth to have a more positive outlook for their future, despite the discrimination they may face at school.

Avery Cassell, 30, of Cedar Rapids, said he came to vigil to support a couple of his friends who are gay and have experienced discrimination.

“It breaks my heart to hear about teens and college students taking their lives because they are different,” he said.

Cassell said he would confront someone if he saw them harassing a LGBT person.

“I wouldn't be scared to tell them to stop. Stop and try to think what you are doing to this person,” Cassell said. “Because at the end of the day, for that person who was harassing these people, it's going to haunt them. It's going to get them down.”