Saturday, February 2, 2012 (West Hollywood, CA) – This week, the media and community have responded to derogatory comments made by Chris Culliver, a cornerback for the San Francisco 49ers playing in this weekend’s Super Bowl, regarding gay athletes. Yesterday, Culliver and his family reached out to The Trevor Project, requesting an opportunity to be educated about the risks and challenges faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth. Abbe Land, Executive Director and CEO of The Trevor Project issued the following statement:

 

“Every day, The Trevor Project hears from hundreds of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning young people on the phone, online and in classrooms about the challenges they face. Too often, the prejudice, fear and hate directed at them by family members, peers, faith leaders and adults they look up to can lead them to do self-destructive things, and possibly attempt suicide. As caring adults, gatekeepers and role models, we have a responsibility to reduce the harmful risks to our children. That is why The Trevor Project provides educational trainings to adults who interact with youth to better educate them about the unique and specific needs of LGBTQ youth, and also to help recognize the warning signs for suicide and reduce the risk of an attempt.

 

“In the coming weeks, The Trevor Project will work with Chris Culliver and his family to educate him about the very real challenges encountered by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth, and how one’s words can impact the behaviors of at-risk youth.

 

“The Trevor Project recognizes that what Chris said was harmful, and if not addressed could influence his young and impressionable fans to perpetuate those kinds of harmful remarks among their peers. We are glad that Chris wants to learn and that The Trevor Project can help. We hope others, whether athletes, faith leaders, parents or educators can learn from Chris’s actions, and turn to groups like The Trevor Project when they recognize they have said or done something that can harm a young LGBTQ person.”

 

The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning young people under 24. Every day, The Trevor Project saves young lives through its free and confidential lifeline and instant messaging services, in-school workshops, educational materials, online resources and advocacy. Honored by the White House as a Champion of Change, The Trevor Project is a leader and innovator in suicide prevention. Learn more at TheTrevorProject.org.

 

MEDIA CONTACT: Laura McGinnis (323.423.7405. laura.mcginnis@thetrevorproject.org)