Short Summary

On July 31, 1991, our friend Joel Larson lost his life in Loring Park.  Joel was targeted because he was gay.  Every June, hundreds of thousands of LGBTQ and Allied people converge on Loring Park to celebrate Twin Cities LGBTQ Pride.  Loring Park is a place where the LGBTQA communities gather to celebrate.  Yet there's no memorial to acknowledge Joel.  Our goal is to place a memorial bench on the spot where Joel lost his life.  The bench will face away from the scene of violence and toward the beauty and life that is Loring Park.  The inscription will read, "Let us turn our backs on hatred.  Teach Love."

What We Need & What You Get

We're working with the Friends of Loring Park to order and place the bench, which will cost $2500.  Joel's friends have donated $1000 to date.  Remember, this is twenty two years after his death.  This gives you an idea of the special person Joel was, and the impact he had on the people around him.

Our perks reflect Joel... They're fun.  Check em out!

The Impact

The inscription says it all.  "Let us turn our backs on hatred.  Teach love."  This memorial bench will acknowledge an important part of Loring Park's past.  And it will serve as a beacon for the future.  We've lost too many to violence in the LGBTQ communities.  This bench will serve as a permanent and intentional reminder.  Teach Love.

Other Ways You Can Help

If you're unable to contribute, we still need your help!  (And if you contributed you can still do these things too!)

• Ask folks to get the word out and make some noise about our campaign.
• Remind your friends to use the Indiegogo share tools!

And that’s all there is to it.