Scores of Penn students, faculty and community members, gathered at the steps of College Hall on Monday evening for a candlelit vigil in honor of eight members of the national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community who committed suicide in recent weeks.
This event was one of over twenty vigils that took place on campuses across Pennsylvania as part of the statewide “Pennsylvania Night to Live.” The initiative was spearheaded by College senior Jason Goodman, vice chairman for political affairs of the Lambda Alliance. “Our message tonight is simple,” Goodman said, speaking to a group of over 100. “You are loved for who you are.”
The ceremony opened with a performance by the Penn Glee Club of “Prayer for the Children.” Eight candles were lit to commemorate each of the recent deaths, followed by a moment of silence. Goodman warned against complacency, cautioning, “Silence can be deadly. Harassment of LGBTQ students happens everyday, and we need to raise the level of discourse surrounding this issue.”
Vice Provost of University Life Valarie McCoullum delivered a statement issued by Provost Vince Price and University President Amy Gutmann, urging the Penn community to take responsibility to confront hatred and to “to promote acceptance, and to practice respect for all."
College junior Victor Galli, another organizer of the event, spoke about the difficulties of “growing up gay in a hostile environment,” asking listeners “not to rest while there are still people suffering alone.”
Bob Schoenberg, director of the Penn Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Center, spoke of the resources available to Penn students, including counseling, an anonymous chat room and LGBT mentors. “It is important to reach out and spread the word to those who need it most,” Schoenburg said.
Representatives from student groups, including the Latino Coalition, United Minority Council, Undergraduate Assembly, Hillel, SPEC, Umoja and the Asian Pacific Student Coalition, also pledged their support.
College sophomore Leanne Gale, said she found the evening extremely moving. “Going to a conservative Jewish high school, this issue was never talked about. I’m incredibly proud of the way my fellow students have come out to show support and to speak courageously.”
College freshman Marcus Mundy agreed. “This has been my most inspirational experience since matriculating at Penn.”
“I’ve never been so proud to be at Penn,” Goodman said. “I believe this evening is an incredible marker in the history of the University.”
Editor's note: This article has been edited from its print version to more accurately represent the statement issued by Provost Vince Price and University President Amy Gutmann. The statement encouraged "acceptance," rather than "tolerence."
