In 1990, few resources for gay people existed in Southeastern North Carolina, though a local advocacy organization, GROW, had made early progress in collecting information on hate crimes, in an effort to inform and motivate the criminal justice system. The bars were the only places where LGBT individuals, from the largely isolated rural areas surrounding Wilmington, could sociallize and share information, in relative safety.
In the 1980s, particularly, this community had witnessed a seemingly continual string of violent crimes that were motivated by intolerance towards sexual minorities. Not coincidentally, the mood of the nation had become immersed in conservative rhetoric that gave credence to the homophobic rants of public figures like Anita Bryant.
The murder of Talana Kreeger shattered the tenuous sense of security that had existed at the Park View Grill, further alienating a group of people who were already isolated in their families and their community. Media coverage was replete with excruciating details of the crime, while only marginally describing the victim, who remained "a body found in the woods".
Silent memorial at the scene of Talana's death.
Talana Kreeger, in her youth
The friends of Talana Kreeger were frustrated in their attempts to locate a church that was willing to host her funeral, in light of the publicity surrounding her murder. A scheduled memorial service had been cancelled at the last minute, when the church became aware that the deceased was lesbian, requiring a hurried relocation.
Two years later, in 1992, several of these mourners were among the founding members of St. Jude's Metropolitan Community Church, part of a Christian denomination that affirms the humanity and spirituality of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, and straight people. In the words of one of these early leaders, "We wanted to have a place where we could marry you and bury you."
On Friday, February 22, 2008, St. Jude's MCC hosted a Memorial Service, to honor Talana Kreeger and other victims of hate crimes in their community, as they seek to inspire social justice and healing.
Laura McLean performs original music at the Memorial Service
Rev. Amanda McCullough, St. Jude's Metropolitan Community Church
For more information about St. Jude's Metropolitan Community Church, go to their website, at:
