a beautiful life

The little film above addresses the issue of depression and suicide amongst young people here in N. Ireland. It stars Eamon Johnston, he's the young dark haired guy.

Eamon knew something about these things, and at the same time was filled with a zest for life which was contagious. Living in a deeply homophobic society Eamon was not afraid to raise his head above the parapet. Four years ago at just age 18 Eamon won the title of Mr. Gay Derry 2003, and used that position to help bring change. At the time he told the local press ""I was pretty nervous about the Gay UK thing... my feeling now is this: you have to be seen out there, you can't hide in a corner or we'll never get anywhere".

Eamon went on to receive training and provide counselling to other young gay, lesbian, and bisexual people in Derry through The Rainbow Project. He was a shining light for many people in their hour of darkness.

Yesterday something became too much for Eamon, and at just 22, Eamon took his own life.
Even the brightest lights experience hurt and pain when you stand on their toes.
And this is a society which doesn't mind doing just that, with even church and government figures preaching the sinfulness, harmfulness and repulsiveness of being gay. This makes a total of eight suicides in the area in just a few months.

Earlier this week i accepted a new job as co-ordinator of a local charity, a partner group of The Rainbow Project, providing telephone helplines, befriending services, counselling, and safe meeting places to members of the gay, lesbian, and bisexual community here.
The gravity of this work sunk in today when i learnt of Eamon's death.
There is a sadness. And a firm resolve.

Some words from Maura O'Halloran come back to me. Maura was a young irish zen master who herself died aged just 27. She said something like;

"I was not born
Will not die
For I am
Nothing.
But please,
do not stand on my toes."