HRC President Chad Griffin Speaks at Vigil for Texas Lesbian Couple
July 2, 2012 by Carolyn Simon
Vigils were held in more than two dozen cities across the country this past Friday to honor the lesbian couple that was shot in Texas in June.
Mollie Olgin, 19, and Kristene Chapa, 18, were both shot in the head at a park in Portland, Texas, which is just north of Corpus Christi. The shooting claimed Olgin’s life; Chapa was left in serious condition and has since regained consciousness. The motive for the shooting remains unclear.
HRC President Chad Griffin was among more than 100 people who turned out for the twilight vigil in D.C.’s Dupont Circle.
“Whenever we lose members of our community because of senseless violence, we must take a moment to mourn that loss,” Griffin said to the crowd. “But, as advocates, we must do more. We must make sure these crimes are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly.”
HRC has reached out to local law enforcement officials as well as the Department of Justice and the FBI.
“It is our duty to take each of these losses seriously so that LGBT youth do not lie in bed at night worried about their safety and well-being,” Griffin said.
The vigil was organized by Jamie McGonnigal, Sean Carlson and Jay Carmona, and gained interest via Facebook and media outlets.
