August 19, 2013

Garden State becomes 2nd in nation to adopt this youth mental health law

New York, NY (August 19, 2013) – Today, Gov. Chris Christie signed a law making New Jersey the second state protect minors from dangerous and discredited sexual orientation change efforts. The law, which passed both houses with bipartisan support, was supported by The Trevor Project, the nation’s leading provider of crisis intervention and suicide prevention services for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) and questioning youth. A similar law has been enacted in California and introduced in New York, Massachusetts and in Pennsylvania.

This important law regulates state licensed mental health providers, encouraging therapies that provide acceptance and support, that facilitate coping and identity exploration, or that address unlawful conduct or unsafe sexual practices while limiting dangerous and harmful sexual orientation change efforts.

“This has been an important month for promoting the health and well-being of LGBT youth in the United States,” said Abbe Land, Executive Director and CEO of The Trevor Project, referring to this law in New Jersey, and a law in California allowing transgender students to attend school and participate in activities that match their true gender.

Land continued, “The Trevor Project applauds Gov. Christie, New Jersey Senators and Assembly Members for their bipartisan support of a law to protect minors from dangerous and discredited sexual orientation change efforts. We also cheer Gov. Jerry Brown and the members of the California State Assembly and State Senate for their support of transgender students, who deserve the opportunity for scholastic and athletic achievements as their true and whole selves.”

New Jersey’s new law, which was also supported by Garden State Equality, recognizes that vulnerable young LGBT people are sometimes coerced into and subjected to harmful practices, known as “conversion therapy” or “reparative therapy.” These sexual orientation change efforts result in a range of negative outcomes including depression, substance abuse and suicidality. Such efforts are not condoned by any major medical organization. By joining California as the second state to prohibit these dangerous and discredited practices, New Jersey emphasizes that the Garden State welcomes LGBT diversity and protects its youth.

The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBT and questioning young people ages 13-24. Every day, The Trevor Project saves young lives through its accredited, free and confidential phone, instant message and text messaging crisis intervention services. A leader and innovator in suicide prevention, The Trevor Project offers the largest safe social networking community for LGBTQ youth, best practice suicide prevention educational trainings, resources for youth and adults, and advocacy initiatives. Learn more at TheTrevorProject.org.

July 30, 2013

Trayvon Deserves Justice

WASHINGTON, DC— A coalition of national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights organizations, led by the National Black Justice Coalition and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, today issued the following open letter:

An Open Letter: Trayvon Deserves Justice

We cannot begin to imagine the continued pain and suffering endured by Trayvon Martin’s family and friends. We stand in solidarity with them as they continue to fight for justice, civil rights and closure. And we thank everyone who has pushed and will continue to push for justice.

Trayvon Martin deserves justice and his civil rights. We support the organizations and community leaders who are urging the federal government to explore every option to ensure that justice is served for Trayvon and that his civil rights are honored and respected. But our work does not end there: we will honor Trayvon Martin by strengthening our commitment to end bias, hatred, profiling and violence across our communities.

We represent organizations with diverse lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender constituencies. Our community has been targets of bigotry, bias, profiling and violence. We have experienced the heart-breaking despair of young people targeted for who they are, who they are presumed to be, or who they love: Rashawn Brazell, Lawrence King, Ali Forney, Brandon Teena, Brandon White, Matthew Shepard, Marco McMillian, Angie Zapata, Sakia Gunn, Gwen Araujo, and countless others.

Every person, regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity, must be able to walk the streets without fear for their safety.

Justice delayed is justice denied and in the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “a right delayed is a right denied.” We honor Trayvon by seeking justice for all people.

All Out
American Civil Liberties Union
Believe Out Loud
BiNet USA
Bisexual Resource Center
Center for Black Equity
CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers
Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals
Equality Federation
Family Equality Council
Freedom to Work
Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network
Gay-Straight Alliance Network (GSA Network)
GetEQUAL
GMHC
GLAD
GLAAD
Harvey Milk Foundation
Human Rights Campaign
Immigration Equality
Lambda Legal
Movement Advancement Project
National Black Justice Coalition
National Center for Lesbian Rights
National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs
National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
National Minority AIDS Council
National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance
Out & Equal Workplace Advocates
PFLAG National
The Trevor Project
Trans Advocacy Network
Transgender Law Center
Trans People of Color Coalition

June 25, 2013

Statement from Abbe Land, Executive Director & CEO

West Hollywood, CA (June 26, 2013) – Today, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled on two cases that affect the freedom to marry of LGBT people. This momentous news affects not just adults, but also LGBT and questioning youth. Below follows a statement from Abbe Land, Executive Director and CEO of The Trevor Project, the nation’s leading provider of crisis intervention and suicide prevention services for LGBT and questioning youth.

“What a day to celebrate history and let every lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young person know that they deserve a chance to have a happily ever after! It is incredibly affirming for young LGBTQ youth to know that if they choose to marry they are afforded the same rights as all married couples and will be treated equally under law. Of course, not all happily ever after dreams have to do with marriage or weddings, and even with today’s celebratory news, there will still be LGBTQ youth who need the life-saving, life-affirming support that The Trevor Project provides

“Simply because of who they are, LGBTQ young people face prejudice, fear and hate, which is why they are at a greater risk to do self-destructive things like attempt suicide. Earlier this month, Pew Research released a study revealing that 39% of LGBT people have been rejected by family or friends, 30% have been physically attacked or threatened, and 58% have been the subject of slurs or jokes. And recently, we learned that each year, one out of every three gay, lesbian or bisexual students in the San Francisco Unified School District reportedly attempts suicide. For transgender students, that number jumps to nearly one in two. When such challenges face youth even in progressive and affirming communities like San Francisco, we know there is still a long way to go to make sure that LGBTQ youth can seek a future of limitless possibilities.

“The Trevor Project proudly celebrates the Supreme Court of the United States’ ruling to reduce discrimination against LGBT couples. It sends a strong message to LGBTQ youth that their dreams for a happily ever after have value and that the freedom to marry is possible.”

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, instant messaging and text messaging services, best-practice 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.

June 25, 2013

Statement from Abbe Land, Executive Director & CEO

New York, NY (July 10, 2013) – Late last month, the New Jersey State Senate and Assembly voted to protect minors from dangerous and discredited sexual orientation change efforts by passing an important bipartisan measure, Senate bill 2278 and Assembly bill 3371. This measure regulates state licensed mental health providers, encouraging therapies that provide acceptance and support, that facilitate coping and identity exploration, or that address unlawful conduct or unsafe sexual practices, while limiting dangerous and harmful sexual orientation change efforts. The below statement from Abbe Land, Executive Director and CEO of The Trevor Project urges Governor Chris Christie to exert his leadership and sign this important legislation into law.

“The Trevor Project applauds New Jersey Senators and Assembly Members for passing important legislation that will protect minors from dangerous and discredited sexual orientation change efforts. We commend the sponsors of this important bipartisan measure, and we thank Garden State Equality for their leadership on this critical issue.

“Now, it is time for Governor Christie to demonstrate leadership by signing this bill into law and protecting youth from harmful sexual orientation change efforts. By joining California as the second state to prohibit these dangerous and discredited practices, New Jersey shows it is a welcoming state for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth.

“There is no evidence that sexual orientation change efforts, sometimes referred to as ‘reparative therapy’ or ‘conversion therapy,’ work to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity, and they are not condoned by any major medical organization. Unfortunately, young LGBTQ people may be coerced into and subjected to these harmful practices, resulting in a range of negative outcomes including depression, substance abuse and suicidality.

“The Trevor Project urges Governor Chris Christie to sign this vital bill into law to protect youth in New Jersey from these harmful practices.”

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, instant messaging and text messaging services, best-practice 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.