Just In Case, You Didn't Know We LOVE You... Teen Suicide Must STOP

We need to mention some names:

Raymond Chase, 19, Providence, RI

Tyler Clementi, 18, Ridgewood, NJ

Seth Walsh, 13, Tehachapi, CA

Billy Lucas, 15, Greensburg, IN

Asher Brown, 13, Houston, TX

These are the young men, in our community, who have taken their life over harassment and abuse about their sexual orientation. It hurts my heart that in 2010 a tragedy of this magnitude would even exist in the world. It is also disheartening to think of all the young men and women who have taken their lives, and the news wasn't reported.

It is time we as a collective group take a stand to stop the violence upon the LGBT community, but more importantly to show love to our younger generation trying to "figure it out." We all know that feeling of questioning our place and value in the world. It is our responsibility to say - YOU MATTER. That is why The Future Forward is here, if for no other reason than to say, we are here and we love OURSELVES, if nobody else does.

We will mourn the loss of these young men, but we will also be empowered by their lives to fight for our right to be heard, respected and loved.

Love and Respect,