Memorial and Vigil in Memory of Lawrence King

Feb. 20, 2008 – SAN DIEGO – Gay Lesbian Straight Alliance Education Network (GLSEN) – San Diego and Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) – San Diego will sponsor a memorial and candlelight vigil in memory of Lawrence King, aged 15, a gay- identified middle school student who was fatally shot at his school on February 12 in Oxnard, California, in what has been identified as a hate crime.

The memorial event will be held at The Center, 3909 Centre Street, on Thursday, February 28 from 6-8 pm, and will include speakers and a candlelight walk from The Center to San Diego Unified School District's Eugene Brucker Educational Center, 4100 Normal Street.

Lawrence King was shot twice in the back of the head by a 14-year-old fellow student in a school classroom. Lawrence had recently identified as gay and was reportedly harassed by his alleged assailant and others in days prior to the shooting.

"It's absolutely crucial that we name the problem of anti-LGBT bullying and harassment and address it directly to find a solution to the everyday fear that keeps countless youth from feeling safe in school," said Kevin Jennings, executive director of GLSEN.

The State of California has recently passed safe-schools legislation in the form of SB777, which contains very specific language that addresses discrimination and bullying against LGBT students. While GLSEN is making every effort to make the execution of SB777 effective, there are still districts that refute the necessity of this bill. We are hopeful that the tragedy involving Lawrence King will make it clear to all how crucial it is to implement safe-schools measures.

"This terrible incident underscores the fact that we cannot let hate go unchecked in our schools and communities," said Judy Shepard, executive director of the Matthew Shepard Foundation. "Our young people need our direction and gui dance to prevent this type of crime from happening. I urge all parents and teachers to educate their children and students about acceptance, understanding and compassion."