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…

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…

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…

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.…

In 2023, The Trevor Project had the pleasure of welcoming eight paid interns to our community, allowing them to bring their talents and stories to our community of champions for LGBTQ young people. Their passion and excitement helped us see Trevor through fresh eyes and see new possibilities in our work.  Trevor Interns Gciniwe and Trey shared their experiences working with us this summer: “Interning at the Trevor Project has been an absolute highlight of my summer. The members of the Content team have been incredibly welcoming and supportive. Initially, I didn't fully comprehend the extent of The Trevor Project's…

Karen Kennedy is a beloved member of the Trevor community who has dedicated her career to improving the mental health of BIPOC communities. Below she shares her story of navigating mental health stigma amongst the Black community and her own family. What is it like talking about mental health with your friends and family? There has been a remarkable shift in the acceptance and openness surrounding mental health discussions within my circle of friends and family. This positive change can be attributed to the growing recognition and understanding of mental well-being within society, including the Black community. People are now…

BIPOC communities have historically faced discrimination, systemic inequalities, and social injustices — all of which have profound impacts on mental health. This BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month, it is essential to highlight the disparities that exist in access to mental health services among BIPOC communities. It’s important that we continue advocating for equitable resources and promoting the destigmatization of both asking for and receiving help. Stigma surrounding mental health is prevalent in many communities, often leading to shame, silence, and avoidance. Within BIPOC communities specifically, cultural factors and historical trauma can further complicate discussions around mental health. Breaking these stigmas…

A spectrum can be a useful way to start thinking about gender: man on one end and woman on the other, with a wide array of identities between the binary. But even a spectrum, wide as it can be, becomes reductive when you consider how complex human beings are.  Though the gender spectrum and nonbinary identities recently broke through to the mainstream, human history tells us that we have been wrestling with these ideas forever. Pre-colonial and Indigenous understandings of gender are far more fluid, complex, than post-colonial roles of “man” and “woman.” In fact, there exists a community of…

As we celebrate Disability Pride Month, I reflect on my personal journey and the disabilities I have faced. From a young age, I have grappled with bipolar disorder and am in recovery from acute post-traumatic stress disorder. These disabilities have presented continuous challenges in my life, whether it be the struggle to validate my experiences to my parents, seeking affordable and LGBTQ-friendly therapy and psychiatric care, or simply finding the strength to face each day. It is important to acknowledge the lingering shame I sometimes feel regarding these labels. I question whether they truly define me or if my struggles…

Pride Pride is a celebration of community, resilience, and LGBTQ history and culture. It is a time for action, joy, liberation, and change. At Trevor, we’re celebrating the power of us — the strength we have as a community and the difference we can make together for LGBTQ young people. This year’s Pride celebration is underway at the same time that a record number of anti-LGBTQ policies are being introduced and implemented across the country. Vitriolic and hateful rhetoric against LGBTQ people (and trans people, specifically) is amplified every day, and young people are watching. Pride can be a party,…