Mid-Southerners urged to support gay teens

Submitted by Jeramia Trotter, WMCTV.com

Wednesday, October 20th, 2010, 1:14pm

Local groups are holding a rally Wednesday night, urging Mid-Southerners to stand up for gay teenagers.

Gay, lesbian and bisexual adolescents were more than twice as likely to have demonstrated suicidal behavior as their heterosexual peers according to at least one study.

“They were more likely to have hurt themselves on purpose, to have seriously considered suicide and to have made a suicide attempt in the past year,” said the writers of the 2005 Massachusetts Youth Risk Behavior Survey.

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Central High School competing in Bandmasters Championship

Submitted by Jeramia Trotter, WMCTV.com

Wednesday, October 20th, 2010, 11:05am

Central High School’s marching band will compete against dozens of other Mid-South musicians in the University of Memphis’ annual Bandmasters Championship.

The contest will be held at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Saturday, Oct. 23. Gates open at 11 a.m.

The competition will run from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m.; the University of Memphis Band will march in exhibition at 9:30 p.m. Proceeds from the contest benefit scholarships for “The Mighty Sound of the South” at the U of M.

Originally known as The Mid-South Invitational, The Bandmasters Championship began in 1963. In the 1990s, the Band Alumni Chapter took on the responsibility for the event, which has hosted marching bands from Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Missouri. This year’s competition will feature 28 high school bands, including 2009 Grand Champion Munford High School from Munford, Tenn.

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Safety concerns along sections of Greenline

Submitted by WMCTV Web Staff

Tuesday, October 19th, 2010, 9:25pm

By Jamel Major - bio | email

MEMPHIS, TN (WMC-TV) - The new Greenline has been open less than a month in Shelby Farms but already some people are concerned about the safety of the trail.

For runners like Lee and Becky Taylor, sharing the seven mile stretch of Greenline with hundreds of other motorists, bikers, and walkers can be challenging.

"You see a lot of people coming towards you, and you run behind each other so there's more space," Becky Taylor said.

Laura Adams of the Shelby Farms Park Conservancy estimates nearly 350 people an hour are already using certain segments of the trail, and with everyone traveling at different rates of speed, there is a limited amount of space.

Now, some cyclists and pedestrians on the Greenline claim they've had close calls with cars as they cross Highland near Mimosa.

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Memphis City Schools may close or consolidate some schools

Submitted by WMCTV Web Staff

Tuesday, October 19th, 2010, 6:33pm

By Kontji Anthony - bio | email

MEMPHIS, TN (WMC-TV) - Memphis City Schools Superintendent Kriner Cash told school board members Monday night that dozens of schools may be closed in an effort to keep the school system afloat.

Tuesday, Memphis City Schools Deputy Superintendent Hitesh Haria explained why the district is now considering merging and/or re-purposing some of its 209 schools.

"(To) ensure that we're utilizing our dollars in the best possible manner to get the best lift in student achievement," he said.

According to Haria, there are 50 under-enrolled schools, but that doesn't mean they're all on the chopping block.

"We have to come up with that criteria with our community," he said. "So right now, I can't say what schools are going to be considered or what's the criteria exactly."

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Catholic Schools opens satellite office in Midtown

Submitted by Jeramia Trotter, WMCTV.com

Tuesday, October 19th, 2010, 6:01pm

The local Catholic Diocese says it’s seen such growth in its school system that it is going to open a new school district office in Midtown.

Catholic Schools will celebrate the opening of Elizabeth Ann Seton Hall at Catholic High School on Wednesday at 10 a.m.

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Gay pride celebration raises awareness about discrimination, bullying

Submitted by WMCTV Web Staff

Saturday, October 16th, 2010, 4:52pm

MEMPHIS, TN (WMC-TV) - The annual gay pride celebration drew a large crowd in Midtown Memphis Saturday.

This is the sixth year the Mid-South Pride organization has hosted the event.

Organizer Michael Morgan said more than ever this year, the event hopes to raise awareness about the dangers of discrimination and bullying.

"We want people to show up, stand up and defend people if you hear them being bullied or chastised or anything like that that's not right," said Morgan. "If it's not right, say something about it."

The topic is paramount this year in light of a recent rash of gay teens committing suicide after being bullied.

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Party, reunion honors city’s gay community

Submitted by Jeramia Trotter, WMCTV.com

Friday, October 15th, 2010, 12:52pm

More than 40 years after it first opened, a group is coming together to celebrate the legacy of one of Memphis’ first gay bars.

George’s opened in 1969 in Midtown and enjoyed its heyday during the 1970s and 1980s. Although the bar moved and changed ownership, the original George’s always served as an inspiration.

“People were accepted into this place when they dressed strangely, identified with a gender different from their physical selves, were old or young or were just lonely and afraid,” said event organizers in a written statement.

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