Northern Utah Harbors High Rate of LGBT Youth Suicide

Photo: OUTreach

On Monday, April 23, 18-year-old Alex Smith spoke on a community panel at a screening of Bullied, telling the packed room about the bullying his boyfriend, Jack, experienced at school. What no one in the room yet knew, including Alex, was that Jack had already taken his own life.

The death of Jack Reese is the latest known suicide of a gay teen in Northern Utah. One official says, off the record, “It happens here about once a week,” but then quickly adds, “but officially, you know, it doesn’t happen here.”

OUTreach is hosting a community response titled, “A Community Stands up – Northern Utah Addresses LGBT Bullying and Suicide.” The event will take place May 1 at 6:30pm at the Ogden Amphitheater (343 E. 25th St, Ogden, UT.) The purpose of the event is for the community to stand in solidarity with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth, to speak out and express grief and outrage at yet another loss of life in Northern Utah and to witness for the need for immediate change in schools, churches and society.

Numerous community leaders, educators, parents, and youth will speak out for acceptance and love for LGBT youth, including active members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. At the request of Alex Smith, a candlelight vigil in memory of Jack Reese will be held at the conclusion of the event.

OUTreach Executive Director Marian Edmonds noted, “The youth I work with all know either a victim of bullying, the loss of a friend to suicide, and most often, both. These youth are bright, creative, and loving, yet too often face daily abuse from rejecting families, bullies at school and the loss of their church family. It is time for local schools to incorporate proven techniques for eliminating bullying and homophobia, for churches to preach love and acceptance, and for parents and families to love and accept their children. Each loss of life is a loss for all of us, and it must stop now.”

Edmonds underscored the need for accurate education and guidance for ethnically and religiously diverse families and cited the work of the Family Acceptance Project (FAP) at SF State University – a research-based education, support and policy initiative that helps ethnically and religiously diverse families – including Latter-day Saint families – support their LGBT children in families, schools and faith communities to prevent suicide, substance abuse, HIV, homelessness, school victimization and family disruption. FAP uses a culturally grounded approach that strengthens families and promotes their LGBT children’s well-being. FAP’s family education materials are available online in 3 languages here.

For for more information, contact OUTreach at 801-686-4528, medmonds@ogdenoutreach.org.