LGBTQA Initiative raising suicide awareness

 By Nicholas Olivera/Staff Writer

Lesbian, gay and bisexual youth in the LGBTQA community are four times more likely to commit suicide than their peers, with nearly half of young transgenders having seriously contemplated taking their own lives.

“Everyone should be able to express themselves freely no matter what sexual orientation they identify as and everyone should have that freedom,” said Kayla Thompson, a freshman majoring in biology. “FIU is a diverse school, so of course people of that community should have representation as well.”

Suicide awareness is going to be the topic of choice at this month’s LGBTQA: 3D Series.

The series, a monthly discussion hosted by FIU’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning and Allied Initiatives, uses each 3D event as an opportunity to raise awareness on issues that affect the LGBTQA community.

It is the Initiative’s way of bringing enlightenment to those who may be unaware of such problems that may be prominent within the community.

“We just want to let students know what’s going on,” said Mario Lara, a graduate assistant for the LGBTQA Initiative. “Students can find out how they can help prevent anyone they care about who may be going through this or just be aware of the resources that are available if they do know anyone at risk.”

Special guests for this event include representatives from Switchboard Miami, a South Florida-based organization that provides free over-the-phone counseling to those in need.

One of the many services Switchboard Miami provides is their suicide prevention hotline,
which will be at the front and center of this upcoming 3D event.

“You might have heard about it from other people but we have to step in someone else’s shoes to understand the struggles they are going through,” said Nicole Malanga, a sophomore majoring in broadcast media. “It’s probably in the back of everyone’s mind but it brings it to the front and puts it in everyone’s face.”

Bringing forward issues that not many know of is the primary objective of Initiative’s 3D series, which is summed up by the meaning of the three D’s: dine, discuss and deliberate.

According to Lara, the discussion normally begins with a presentation from the special guest, followed by an open panel for students to discuss topics freely.

Students are encouraged to speak up during these discussions if they do not understand something.

The Initiative will be providing food to anyone who attends, while a speaker presents. This is done to create a non-hostile environment in order to get students to relax and participate in the discussion, said Lara.

“We always have food there so students can have a chance to eat and sit to listen to the presentation and join on the conversation,” Lara said.

The 3D Series: Suicide Awareness and Prevention will be held Thursday, Oct. 22 from noon to 2 p.m. in WUC 155 at the Biscayne Bay Campus.

The event is free and open to the public.

To RSVP, go to lgbt.fiu.edu.

-news@fiusm.com

Photo Courtesy of Creative Commons