Community Teen Pride: Chants of "Love Always" abound
{Photo Credit: Antionette Kerr/Davidson Local}
Chants of “1-2-345 WE- HAVE-COMMUNITY- PRIDE” could be heard on Main Street in Lexington this Saturday. Special guests/speakers included:
Teen Organizer Jianna Miller
Rev. Dr. Arnetta Beverly, St. Stephen United Methodist Church
Rev. Elizabeth Horton, First Reformed UCC
For several years, 16-year-old Girl Scout Jianna Miller knew she wanted her Gold Award project to be a Pride March for teens. The Gold Award is the highest award for Girl Scouts, in which individuals address issues in their community by making lasting change and 80 hours of work. The parade garnered a host of media attention from across the state.
PRIDE followers from across the state attended. Madonna Girl Dale was one of the followers expressing concern for teens after losing a friend due to bullying and suicide. Feeling accepted was a key component for the march. Dale said often family, friends, allies are unable to identify symptoms of severe depression and suicidal thoughts.
{Contributed Photo}
Organizers say that suicide is an important subject to be talking to students about, as it is the second leading cause of death for people aged 10-35. Miller wanted the community to show support to youth and families from all communities. The distribution of serious thoughts of suicide includes 4.8 percent of all adults, 11 percent of young adults 18-25, 18.8 percent of high school students, and 46.8 percent of LGBTQ+ students.
The following are resources:
Suicide Hotline: 800-273-8255
The march kicked off Lexington’s PRIDE month events in collaboration with PFLAG of Lexington NC. Organizer Jennifer Hutton has signed on as the official mentor for Miller’s Gold Award project.. Jianna Miller selected the intersection of St. Stephen United Methodist Church and First Reformed UCC for Davidson County’s first Teen PRIDE parade.
