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In Their Own Words: LGBTQ Young People Head Back to School

We asked our Trevor community some of the big questions as they head back to school this year. Their answers brought us back to the fact that all kids just want to be kids and belong at school, and some of their advice was super heartwarming. See how LGBTQ young people across the country are feeling as they pack their backpacks this year. What are you most looking forward to at school this year? “Going to a school with an LGBTQ support group for the first time!” “This year I'm finally ready to be out and proud! Going to finish…
Waist high picture of Selina Peña wearing a white shirt and black vest.
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Allyship In The Classroom With Selina Peña

For Selina Peña (she/they), queer Chicanx educator and content creator, school has always been a refuge. She teaches at the very high school she graduated from, a school that provided a safe haven from her home environment. “Growing up in a bordertown, I took on various roles, including translator and caretaker,” Selina explained. “Now, as a queer Latina high school teacher in south Texas, I'm committed to fostering an inclusive and empowering classroom. I am aware of the value of representation in school and how it affects students' sense of identity and self-worth. I work hard to make sure my…
Trevor Talks Episode two logo How to talk safely about suicide.
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TrevorTalks Unpacks Talking About Suicide Safely

One of the hardest topics to talk about is suicide. Many of us may know people who have attempted or lost their lives to suicide, but talking about it can often feel taboo. We live in a society that sweeps a lot of tough conversations under the rug. In 2017, a person died by suicide every 11 minutes. It’s the second leading cause of death among young people ages 10-14, and the third leading cause for young people ages 15-24. Suicide is currently considered a public health crisis in the United States. But even though it’s such a common cause…
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Unveiling Trevor’s Values

Trevor’s 25th year marks another important milestone: the introduction of our organization’s values. Our mission to create a brighter future starts with how we operate as an organization, and how we show up — day after day — to defend and protect the potential of LGBTQ young people. These values are a crystallization of conversations and heartfelt contributions from our staff, leadership, and board of directors, and we thank everyone for their role in shaping this next milestone chapter. For the past 25 years, our shared values have been implicit. Starting today, they will be our north star illuminating our…
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PUMA’s #ReformTheLockerRoom Training is Empowering Young LGBTQ Athletes

It’s time to get in the game — together. The Trevor Project’s mission is to end suicide among LGBTQ young people, and data suggests that inclusive sports participation can promote positive mental health outcomes among LGBTQ young people — from peer acceptance to higher self-esteem. The reality is that LGBTQ young people face numerous barriers to accessing life-affirming sports spaces, including a dangerous new wave of bills seeking to restrict LGBTQ young athletes’ ability to play as their authentic selves. According to a new poll on the impacts of social and political issues on LGBTQ young people, 65% of transgender…
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The 25th Anniversary of TrevorLifeline

August 11 is an anniversary that defines Trevor’s legacy. The Trevor Project’s formal founding occurred on March 25, 1998, but August 11 marks the 25-year anniversary of the launch of TrevorLifeline, the first 24/7 national lifeline supporting LGBTQ youth in crisis.  The Academy Award®-winning short film, “Trevor,” a story about an LGBTQ teen who attempts suicide, was set to air nationally on HBO on August 11. The filmmakers — Peggy Rajski, Randy Stone, and Celeste Lecesne — wanted to include a number to a suicide lifeline for young people that might feel similar to Trevor’s character. After learning that LGBTQ…
Lindz Amer
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Raising Queer Kids and Allies with Lindz Amer

Lindsay Amer is an American LGBTQ+ activist, YouTuber, and author of “Rainbow Parenting: Your Guide to Raising Queer Kids and Their Allies.” Amer created and hosts Queer Kid Stuff, a YouTube channel directed at children and focused on LGBTQ issues. Amer has been recognized by GLAAD, the TED Conference, and the Webby Awards for their work relating to LGBT education and advocacy. 1. What inspired you to write Rainbow Parenting? First and foremost,the book is a culmination of about a decade of experience in making LGBTQ+ media and in queer storytelling for kids and families. I gave a TED Talk…
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Join The Trevor Project For Our Second Annual Reading Challenge

Back-to-school time can be exciting, but for some students, it can be a time of uncertainty and fear as they face a potentially unwelcoming environment. Every student deserves a safe environment to learn and thrive. We’re doing everything we can to make sure every LGBTQ young person has that safe space so they can succeed in the classroom and beyond. We invite you to join our second annual Reading Challenge in honor of the back-to-school season! For the month of September, we challenge you to read at least 25 minutes a day and log your reading time on Facebook. Get…
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Getting Ready For School Again: What It’s Like For LGBTQ Young People

Written by Sue Cardenas-Soto (they/them), Copywriter at The Trevor ProjectFor many, going back to school is as simple as packing their backpacks for the day. For LGBTQ young people, especially those who hold multiple marginalized identities, they have to pack a little more. They have to mentally prepare themselves to be misgendered; to be erased from bookshelves and history lessons; to potentially be met with violence, bullying, or ridicule. They carry an extra heaviness that others do not. When I was in high school, I was quickly integrated into a group of writers and artists in the Spoken Word club.…