There was a similar day in Australia on the October 15th called Wear it Purple Day in tribute to those youths. Articles reporting on the event claimed around "30% of lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender teens in Australia attempt suicide" in a country which already boasts one of the highest youth suicide rates in the world.

http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/45648

Personally I can't help but hold many churches at least partially responsible for the spread of intolerant and homophobic attitudes, and tragic incidents of this nature are the inevitable end result of such cruel, hurtful views.