The text below is from a letter forwarded by a friend.
"As I'm sure most of you know, there has been a wake of teen and young adult suicides across the country in the past few weeks that have been connected to the LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning) community in some way or another. People have been prosecuted, ridiculed, and tortured by their peers and the media because of who they are.
The rainbow flag has been an iconic symbol of the LGBTQ community since June of 1978. It was created by Gilbert Baker for the first Gay Pride Parade in San Francisco (which then was called "Gay Freedom Day Parade.") Baker originally created an eight color striped flag. The flag has gone through transformations, and now has six stripes. Each stripe, being a different color, has a different meaning associated with it. Those associations are as follows:
Red: Life
Orange: Healing
Yellow: Sunlight
Green: Nature
Blue: Art, Harmony, and Serenity
Purple: Spirit
The significance of each of these stripes bears so much meaning to the LGBTQ community and its alliances. And not even a month after Tyler Clementi, a New Jersey college student, committed suicide because of his roommate's inappropriate actions regarding his sexuality, we as a community are coming together to remember Tyler and so many others who have lost or taken their lives.
Tomorrow, Wednesday the 20th, has been named LGBTQ spirit day. Supporters are encouraged to wear purple, which symbolizes spirit. This is to demonstrate that the spirit of these young people will live on and not be forgotten. This might even be the first step toward a totally accepting and celebratory world."
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