The protest today went very well. I was very impressed by the number of people who showed up. I think there were 150 or more. A representative from FOTF told someone on our side that of all the conferences they've had, we had the largest amount of people in our protest.

I was pretty amazed by their turnout too. There were so many cars in there parking lot. When they were breaking for lunch, I was watching them drive by. Many looked pious and smug. Some looked a little bewildered by the scene. I carried a sign that said "This conference harms children". I noticed a few people from the conference reading my sign. I studied this one woman's face briefly. To me, she looked like she hadn't considered that before. Maybe that's just wishful thinking on my part.

I don't think these people realize the damage they do to children, gay or straight. The kind of stigma they impose does real damage. I read somewhere that 70% of all suicides are gay teens and a gay teen is twice as likely to commit suicide than a straight one. Those
numbers are so staggering.

A few years ago I knew this guy who would come to the Center. He was in his early twenties and was kind of annoying they way kids in their early twenties can be. I'd see him pretty regularly when I volunteered there. Several months went by and I didn't see him. People came and went at the Center so much, so I didn't give it much thought. Then one day I saw a flyer for a memorial fund that had been set up in his name. When I asked how he died, I was told he
committed suicide.

My friend Babe is on the cover of this week's Echo Magazine. For years Babe has tirelessly worked directly with GLBT youth through the Center's Youth Services program. They range from 14 to 21. I've watched her deal with a lot of bureaucracy and funding issues that would break most people (like me), but she has never wavered in her support of the kids or her purpose. She always has the kids and their welfare as her first priority. She's really amazing and I am so happy I know her.