Alan Cumming Honored In NYC
Alan Cumming, known to comic book fans as the X-men film incarnation of Nightcrawler, was honored Monday night in New York by The Trevor Project. The first national, 24-hour, 7-day a week toll free crisis and suicide prevention helpline for gay and questioning youth, the Trevor Project is doing it's part to help young people understand that they aren't alone.
Having been in the room Monday night when Alan received the award I can say that he is an advocate who doesn't just give lip service to his thoughts on being out and proud. He spoke eloquently of the importance of the community stepping up and helping gay youth know they aren't alone - at one point saying it is why he has "absolutely no shame" in being himself.
The clip package honoring his life in film included a section on his decision to do X2. He spoke of how he felt the message of the film, especially the mutant "coming out" scene, was such an important one.
Considering the statistics on suicide in this country, what Alan stands for is incredibly important. I was shocked to learn that suicide is the third leading cause of death for young people ages 16 to 24 and that gay youth are four times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers.
Listening Monday night to Alan and the rest of the speakers I was reminded of the recent discussions here about our desire for a stronger commitment to LGBT representation in comics from the big two. I can only imagine how many young people who love comics find comfort in the fact that they have something in common with a certain Young Avengers or Runaways character.
CNN has some coverage of Alan's career, political ideas, and the Trevor Project.
There is also photo coverage of the event on BroadwayWorld.com
OracleChele
Posted to on 2 July 2008
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