The 2nd Annual Nationwide You-Are-Loved Chalk Message Project—an annual, nationwide suicide-prevention awareness project that combats hateful rhetoric toward the LGBTQ community through the use of positive, uplifting chalk messages—will take place Monday, Oct. 4, according to a press release.
The project began in 2005 on the campus of Drew University and was taken nationwide last October. Members of the project are asking colleges and universities to become involved.
According to the press release, 25-50 percent of LGBTQ youth are initially rejected by their families upon coming out. In addition, an estimated 60 percent of LGBTQ youth feel unsafe in U.S. schools due to their sexual orientation and/or gender identity. The saddest fact is that LGBTQ youth are four to nine times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers.
For more information, visit chalkmessages.org/.
Those planning on participating should contact Jen Dugan at info@chalkmessages.org.