Fundraiser planned for area gay, lesbian, bisexual youth

The family of a young, gay man who tried to take his own life is turning that tragedy into a triumphant in an effort to support gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth.

Rocky Campana was 24 last year when he attempted to end his life last August. He eventually had to be taken off life support and died as a result.

His parents decided to honour his memory and support others by organizing a Run For Rocky.

Nancy Campana said months before he committed suicide, her son talked about starting a program to help others.

He wanted to bring a program similar to the Trevor Project to Canada. The Trevor Project is one of the leading organizations providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to American lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth.

"He always took the leadership role and he seemed to do that naturally," Nancy Campana said. "As he got into grade school, he took leadership roles at the school."

A fundraising run will take place April 14. Money raised will go towards Windsor Pride, supporting Gay Straight Alliances in schools and towards programs for parents.

"Being at the funeral for Rocky with over 1,000 people, at every age level, when we had this conversation, it was heart warming that a mother and a dad losing their son to suicide would be able to step up and support this community," said Bob Williams, the executive director of Windsor Pride.

Campana's family was understanding and accepting of their son. It wasn't the same for others in the community, Nancy Campana said.

"I could see that twinkle in his eye disappear when he would talk to me about certain rejections he felt in life, certain unkindness' that he was faced with," she said. "He would talk to me about kids, friends that had come out and he would say, 'mom and dad, it wasn't like here, it wasn't like at home, they were kicked out or their parents wouldn't talk to them anymore.'

"Or they didn't feel that they had a spot to go home to anymore and you could feel his pain because someone was gay they may be rejected from things in life."

Nancy Campana said it wasn't until after her son died that she realized "the hardships" young members of the LGBT community face.

"You know, every day there's a hardship, there's a prejudice to face. So I think the whole reason behind this run is that we need support systems and not only at home," she said. "More and more youth are coming out in their high school years and we know the high school years are tumultuous and difficult and emotionally straining as it is for much of our youth. So there has to be a strong support system within our schools when these kids are coming out."

Williams has high hopes for the run.

"I feel strongly with the kinds of response that we've had from across Ontario and some from across Canada nationally, that this is going to be very strong and I think with our support from Greater Essex County District School Board will help us take this, maybe, nationally," he said.