Stonewall Columbus would like to thank all of our community partners and vigil attendees for helping to make Spirit Day 2010 a huge success. On Wednesday, October 20th, over 600 people of all ages gathered at Goodale Park to show their spirit for our community, to mourn the lives lost to suicide among our LGBT youth and to inspire awareness and action for this important issue. Brave survivors shared stories of their journeys, community leaders rallied the crowd and adult & young people performed poems and songs about hope. The evening, which concluded with a candlelight vigil and moment of silence, was a true expression of solidarity and its heartfelt message undoubtedly saved lives. Thank you all!
Stonewall Columbus will hold a candlelight vigil on Wednesday, October 20, 2010 from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the Gazebo at Goodale Park in Columbus, Ohio. This event coincides with the newly created “Spirit Day” which recognizes the loss of lives to suicide directly related to anti-gay bullying. A short program will be held with speakers from our community. Thank you to Vox and Unecc for graciously agreeing to perform at this event.
Stonewall Columbus will provide a limited number of candles and also purple ribbons which read, “Spirit Day 2010.” Resource materials will be on hand for distribution.
Attendees are encouraged to wear purple on this day, since the color purple in the LGBT rainbow flag represents Spirit.
“It is very difficult for those who are suffering to reach out,” said Karla Rothan, Executive Director of Stonewall Columbus. “By holding this public event, it is our hope that we will encourage people who are being bullied and harassed because they are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender to speak out and get help.”
Community Partners
Beacon Property Management
Betty’s Fine Food and Spirits
BRAVO
Cardinal Health Equality Network
Columbus Deanery Deacons of the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Ohio
Columbus Women’s Chorus
Dames Bond
Dignity Columbus-Catholic Support
Dirty Frank’s Hot Dog Palace
Dooley & Co. Realtors
Equality Ohio Education Fund
Fifth Third Bank
First Unitarian Universalist Church
Girlz Rhythm n’ Rock Camp
GOHI (Gay Ohio History Initiative)
Hair by Brian C. Hawkins
High Street Neighborhoods Magazine
Human Rights Campaign
IntegrityUSA
Kaleidoscope Youth Center
King Avenue United Methodist Church
LEVEL Dining Lounge
Market Blooms
Network Columbus
New Creation Metropolitan Community Church
New Leaf Columbus
Next Generation Democrats Caucus
Ohio Democratic Party LGBT Caucus
Ohio Lesbian Festival
Olde Towne East Block Watches
Olde Towne East Neighborhood Association
OSU GLBT Alumni Society
OSU Multicultural Center
Outlook: Columbus
PFLAG Columbus
SDG Security
Short North Business Association
Short North Civic Association
Short North Neighborhoods Block Watch
Suicide Prevention Foundation
Surly Girl Saloon
The Legacy Fund of The Columbus Foundation
TipTop Kitchen and Cocktails
Transit Arts
TransOhio
Unecc
Union Bar + Food
vitaminwater
Vox, the small, auditioned ensemble from the Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus
Wall Street Nightclub
Wonderland Columbus
