Blog

Meet Alexis

“The change I'm just hoping to see in the world is equality and equity… I think that we should all show for the trans community in allyship and honor each other because we're better in community, and anything against us is against all of us.” - Alexis (she/her), Deputy Director for The Queer Trans Project Alexis was fortunate to have a mom who would always have open and affirming conversations about her sexuality. This openness taught her what allyship looked like. So when Alexis met a girl she couldn’t stop thinking about, she felt safe knowing that her family was…
Blog

Against the Erasure of Black Queer History

American history of resistance is a history of Black LGBTQ+ people. Advancements in civil rights and greater visibility of the LGBTQ+ community overall can be attributed to the efforts of Black LGBTQ+ folks; so much of what is popular and beloved in music, fashion, culture, and even language is because of the innovations and traditions of the Black queer diaspora. All of this is born out of the need to survive oppressive and violent conditions, distinguish themselves from their white LGBTQ+ counterparts who often enjoyed greater privilege. When there are efforts to censor Black queer history in classrooms, to prevent…
Blog

How The Trevor Project is Advocating for LGBTQ+ Young People During the 2024 Legislative Season

An interview with Janson Wu (he/him), Sr. Director, State Advocacy & Government Written by Ryan Bernsten (he/him), Senior Managing Editor RYAN: Let’s start really high-level. Why is the 2024 legislative season so important? JANSON: We've already seen close to 300 anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced already in 2024. Last year we saw a record-breaking 600+ anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced, and 82 of those passed into law. This year, we're seeing our opponents double down on the breadth and cruelty of their attacks. Where we saw gender-affirming care bans targeting youth last year, we're now seeing restrictions for adult care. Where we once saw…
Press

New Report Reveals Alarming Prevalence of Conversion Therapy, With Over 1,300 Active Practitioners Across the U.S.

Nearly half of the identified practitioners (46%) hold active professional licenses as mental health providers December 12, 2023 — The Trevor Project, the leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ young people, released a new report today which sheds light on the alarming and extensive presence of practitioners of so-called conversion “therapy” across the U.S. Conversion “therapy” refers to a range of dangerous, discredited, and unscientific practices that attempt to change one’s LGBTQ+ identity. The report, It’s Still Happening, is the culmination of rigorous and systematic research that began in 2018 by researchers at The Trevor Project, who…
Photo of Daniel Quasar
Blog

A Conversation With Daniel Quasar on Pride Flags, LGBTQ+ History, and Mental Health

Written by Sue Cardenas-Soto (they/them), Copywriter Daniel Quasar (they/ze) calls themselves an “accidental designer,” but they’re definitely one who has made an impact on LGBTQ+ history. Quasar designed the Progress Pride flag in 2018, an updated design that incorporated Monica Helm’s Trans Pride flag, the traditional Gilbert Baker Pride flag, and elements of Philadelphia and Seattle’s Pride flags. The trans flag stripes and black and brown stripes were shifted to the hoist and given a chevron shape, pointing to the right to symbolize forward movement. SUE: Can you tell me about the process of designing the flag? QUASAR: I was…
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Blog

Making LGBTQ+ History Happen

This LGBTQ+ History Month, we’re remembering past trailblazers like Marsha P. Johnson, Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, Harvey Milk, and more, but we’re also looking forward to making more history. In a time of increased hostility toward LGBTQ+ people, and with anti-LGBTQ+ legislation still on the rise, the need for liberation is now. And when it comes to LGBTQ+ young people, their mental health is paying the price: 71% of LGBTQ+ youth — including 86% of trans and nonbinary youth — say state laws restricting the rights of LGBTQ+ young people have negatively impacted their mental health. They deserve to see a…
Animation of a person holding stars
Blog

Our Resolution: Defeat Anti-LGBTQ Bills in 2023

As we start a new year, we enter a hostile political landscape for LGBTQ young people in states across America. In 2022, 220 anti-LGBTQ bills were considered in a majority of states across the country — a record number. In 2023, this trend is set to continue, as state houses around America are considering legislation that targets LGBTQ young people, ranging from censoring LGBTQ-related curriculums and books, banning transgender student-athletes from participating in sports that match their gender identity, and criminalizing doctors and families who support youth with transgender medical care.   That’s the bad news. However, there is reason for…
Get Involved with our Fight for Equality
Blog

Get Involved in Our Fight for Equality

The world today feels uncertain and scary. When we look at the issues faced by LGBTQ — especially trans and nonbinary — young people, it can feel overwhelming. There is so much discrimination and disinformation out there, sometimes it feels like there are problems too big to be solved. While it’s true these issues are daunting, there are concrete ways to take action. The antidote to despair is getting involved and effecting change in individual lives.  Transgender Awareness Week is a one-week celebration every year — observed November 13 to November 19 — leading up to Trans Day of Remembrance…
Advocacy

The Trevor Project Is Advocating For LGBTQ Affirming Schools

Whether through legislation, litigation, or public education at the federal, state, and local levels, The Trevor Project is a leading advocate for LGBTQ young people’s mental health and wellbeing across the country. Trevor Project Advocacy Campaign Manager Gabby Doyle (she/her) is focused particularly on advocating for LGBTQ students, young people at risk of finding themselves in unsafe, phobic environments. I came to The Trevor Project after serving as State Partnerships Manager at SIECUS: Sex Ed for Social Change, advocating for comprehensive sex education policies across the country. Now, I work with The Trevor Project on suicide prevention policies in schools.…