Youth's Lives Every Day
The Trevor Project is thrilled to honor Dylan Mulvaney (she/they) with our 2023 Suicide Prevention Advocate of the Year award, which recognizes influential public figures who champion the LGBTQ community and advocate for mental health awareness. The third annual award marks September’s National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Dylan joins past award recipients Janelle Monáe (2022) and Lil Nas X (2021), who use their platforms to challenge the status quo and create a safer, more inclusive world for LGBTQ young people to thrive as their authentic selves.
An actress, comedian, content creator, and trans activist, Dylan catapulted into the spotlight last year with her viral TikTok series, “Days of Girlhood,” documenting her transition journey. The series has amassed over 1 billion views, and Dylan rapidly emerged as a beacon of trans joy, positivity, and inspiration for the LGBTQ community. Dylan’s unwavering commitment to advocacy was demonstrated last September, when she sat down with President Joe Biden to discuss trans rights for NowThis News, stating: “I try not to let the Internet’s words hurt me or my spirit, but do you know what does hurt? Seeing people in power and authority figures creating laws and bills that are actively trying to harm us trans humans, especially trans children.” Over the past year, Dylan has consistently utilized their large platform to educate audiences on gender identity and the trans experience, raise awareness around LGBTQ issues, and redefine what true allyship looks like. Last month, Dylan won Breakout Creator at the Streamy Awards, and used her speech as a rallying call to allies declaring, “I think allyship right now needs to look differently, and you need to support trans people publicly and proudly.”
Dylan has been an incredible champion of The Trevor Project, raising nearly $200K in March during her Day 365 Live! celebration. The event, a one-night-only cabaret show at New York’s iconic Rainbow Room and a culmination of her “Days of Girlhood” series, was live-streamed and viewed across the globe by millions of fans. The variety show featured appearances by Dominique Jackson (“Pose”), Rachel Brosnahan (“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”), and Jonathan Van Ness (“Queer Eye”), among others, and 100% of the proceeds raised during the event benefited The Trevor Project’s mission to end suicide among LGBTQ young people.
“I am deeply honored to accept The Trevor Project’s Suicide Prevention Advocate of the Year award,” said Dylan. “Trevor’s life-saving work holds a special place in my heart because it represents a lifeline for so many who are struggling with their identity and may not feel accepted as their authentic self. To anyone feeling lost or scared, I want you to know that you are so incredibly loved and there is light after the moments of darkness. Always remember that you are never alone, you are perfect just the way you are, and organizations like The Trevor Project are here to provide a safe space to talk whenever you need, 24/7. I am so proud to be a part of such a strong and beautiful community that fights tirelessly for a brighter, more inclusive future, and this award stands for all of us. Let’s continue to work together to uplift and empower LGBTQ young people and create a world where no young person ever feels that hope is out of reach.”
According to The Trevor Project’s 2023 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ Young People, 41% of LGBTQ young people seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year, including half of transgender and nonbinary young people. This year, a record number of anti-LGBTQ legislation has been introduced and enacted across the country — the majority of which specifically target transgender and nonbinary young people. These harmful policies and increasingly vitriolic public rhetoric have the potential to exacerbate bullying, social isolation, discrimination, violence, and stigma — all of which are consistent risk factors for suicide. The Trevor Project’s polling found that 86% of transgender and nonbinary youth say recent debates about state laws restricting the rights of transgender people have negatively impacted their mental health.
“In a world where LGBTQ young people too often face adversity and discrimination, Dylan Mulvaney stands as a source of light and hope, reminding us that there is strength in unity and power in vulnerability,” said Kevin Wong (he/him), Senior Vice President of Marketing, Communications, and Content. “Through her ongoing advocacy work and unapologetic celebration of their trans identity, Dylan is an exemplary possibility model for LGBTQ young people to envision a world for themselves where they can be happy, successful, and thrive openly and authentically. By letting us into her personal journey and showcasing all of the wonderful parts of the trans experience, Dylan is inspiring a new generation of LGBTQ young people to love themselves fully and we are so honored to celebrate them with this award.”
If you’d like to donate in support of Dylan’s award, please visit trvr.org/dylangives.
If you or someone you know needs help or support, The Trevor Project’s trained crisis counselors are available 24/7 at 1-866-488-7386, via chat at TheTrevorProject.org/Get-Help, or by texting START to 678678.
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About The Trevor Project
The Trevor Project is the leading organization working to end suicide among LGBTQ young people in the U.S. and beyond. The nonprofit operates several programs to help prevent and respond to the public health crisis of suicide among LGBTQ young people, including 24/7 free crisis services, innovative research, advocacy, public education, and peer support.
