Civic Space Park played host to a suicide awareness event organized by a Valley gay rights group Friday, featuring music and artwork from the LGBTQ community. The organization 1n10 held its Sources of Strength Celebration as a suicide prevention training program designed to teach, train and reach lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth, ages 14 to 24.
“The main purpose of the event is to get folks from all over the Valley to come and have a wonderful time listening to some incredible music and viewing amazing artwork,” said Stacey Jay Cavaliere, prevention coordinator for 1n10. “We will also be dedicated to educating and teaching attendees about local agencies that work in suicide prevention and empowerment practices for youth and young adults.”
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is the third leading cause of death in the United States. LGBT youth are two to three times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers.
“Suicide is a crisis that touches everyone from all backgrounds and has become a great concern for the LGBT community,” Cavaliere said.
Around 100 people of all different backgrounds crowded around the Civic Space Park to watch the provided entertainment as bands, dance teams, DJs and singers took the stage. Among the performances was a routine by the Fusion Dance Team, a team that started out as a group of friends having fun dancing in parks. Through their diverse group of sexualities, 1n10 felt they would be a perfect motivation for young LGBTQ members.
Francisco Martenez, a 19-year-old from Phoenix and member of the dance team, said 1n10 allowed their team to gain recognition through their dancing.
“We love dancing together because we are all so different. We represent to others that it is okay if you have different backgrounds or sexualities,” Martenez said.
The Fusion Dance Team works with 1n10 to promote HIV and STD prevention. They go to schools, parks and areas around the light rail to pass out condoms and informational cards about STD prevention, Martenez said.
“We participated in the Sources of Strength Celebration because we wanted to help out 1n10, and we feel that it is important for downtown Phoenix to understand equality of all different sexualities so we can prevent suicide,” Martenez said.
Nathan Sheade, 22, from Phoenix was the audio technician for the event and made sure the sound and technology ran smoothly throughout the night.
“I have a few friends that are gay, and I worked the Rainbow Festival last weekend at Heritage Square in Phoenix, which was a similar type of event, so I wanted to help out with this one and show support,” Sheade said.
Sheade said he believes that any sort of awareness about suicide is positive awareness.
“It is easy for people to not think about things like this, so this event is a good way to advocate knowledge about suicide,” he said.
The event ran from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and showcased artwork from members of the LGBTQ community. The event attracted many different people of all age ranges, including high school students. Laveen-resident Darien Wendell, 17, attended the event because she went to an outdoors teen gay camp this past summer that was organized through 1n10.
“I was invited to the event by 1n10, and I like attending these sorts of things because I feel it is important to stand up for my beliefs,” Wendell said.
Wendell described herself as a pansexual, meaning she is attracted to all people regardless of gener, and said she feels this issue is something worth supporting.
“It is really important that we all support each other, regardless of sex, race or nationality to promote equality,” Wendell said.
Throughout the night the attendees seemed united over their similarities and beliefs, and before the night was over everyone was immersed with all the different groups and dance members.
“Overall, I wanted the attendees to have a great time while connecting with resources, agencies, peers and fellow neighbors so they know that there is help and support out there,” Cavaliere said. “Not only for youth but for the community as a whole.”
Contact the reporter at nkstark@asu.edu
