Media Contact:
Donald Taylor
Louisville Youth Group
[masked] (cell phone)
[address removed]
[address removed]

October 5, 2010

Louisville, Ky—With nearly half dozen reported suicides directly linked to anti-gay bullying, Louisville Youth Group decided it is time to let the community know Louisville is NO place for anti-gay bullying. In a week’s time, almost a dozen community co-sponsors have joined forces with Louisville Youth Group (LYG) to conduct a community forum. "It is important the community know the resources available; the youth know they’re supported; and service providers know the gaps so we can address them," said Donald Taylor, Executive Director of Louisville Youth Group. This forum seeks to do just that: raise awareness, communicate the resources and support available, and begin to discuss any gaps Kentuckiana may have in supporting GLBT youth. A cross section of the community including parents, teachers, students, youth service providers, faith leaders and community members at large are expected in a unified show, "it will take all of Kentuckiana to protect and serve everyone in Kentuckiana," Taylor said.

The community forum will focus on a solutions-oriented outcome to ensure, "all safety nets are in place to catch Kentuckiana’s glbt youth," said Taylor. A general feel of the community is reflected by Thomas Jefferson Unitarian’s Barb Friedland, "we are called to respect the inherent worth and dignity of every person." Louisville can be proud anti-gay bullying has no home here, and our community partners are insisting on that.

Louisville Youth Group, Metro United Way, Steward’s Staff, Fairness Campaign, Young Adult Development in Action, Episcopal Diocese of Kentucky (Youth Programs), Thomas Jefferson Universalist, First Unitarian Church, PFLAG (Parents, Friends and Family of Lesbians and Gays), University of Louisville (Center for GLBT Services), YouthBuild Louisville, more agencies daily

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