You are not alone.
Did you know that at least 1 in 10 people identifies as LGBTQ (Mallon, 2010)?
While an exact figure on the LGBTQ population is hard to determine because of negative social stigmas and the fact that LGBTQ people have been socially conditioned to hide, most people commonly state that at least 1 in every 10 is LGBTQ (Mallon, 2010). While it might feel like it sometimes, you are never alone.
If you are feeling lost, in need of support and acceptance, or if you are content and confident and just looking for a group of people like yourself, there are several groups that want to help you.
If you are feeling lost, in need of support and acceptance, or if you are content and confident and just looking for a group of people like yourself, there are several groups that want to help you.
The Trevor Project
The Trevor Project offers life-saving services on a 24 hours basis to any LGBTQ young person in crisis. In addition to a suicide prevention and crisis intervention hotline available through phone, text message, and instant message, they offer many other services as well. TrevorSpace offers a social networking community for you to connect with other teens like yourself online in a safe environment. Trevor Education provides workshops and resources to educate teens, educators, family and allies about LGTBQ issues and suicide prevention techniques. The Trevor Project is nations leading organization on suicide prevention within the LGBTQ community (The Trevor Project, 2013). |
GLBT National Help Center
The GLBT National Help Center is an organization that strives to help meet the needs of the LGBTQ community. The help center provides a national hotline for LGBTQ people to call in and have a safe place to voice any issue that may arise. While similar to The Trevor Project, the hotline is not intended to be used as a crisis hotline. Instead it is used as a resource center to provide links, local group information, as well as a friendly ear for advice about coming out and other issues commonly faced by LGBTQ teens (GLBT Help Center, 2013). For more information, visit their website. |
The Gay Straight Alliance
The Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) is a student run club that aims to create a safer school environment by promoting positive interactions between the straight and LGBTQ communities. Groups meet and discuss LGBTQ issues as well as advocate for a safer school by trying to stop homophobia and transphobia (Gay Straight Alliance, 2013). For more information about starting a GSA at your school, check out this link. |
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GLSEN Student Ambassadors
GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network) currently works with students grades 8-12 across the country to be ambassadors and help create safer schools as well as becoming advocates for the LGBTQ community. Through becoming a student leader, you'll be given the opportunity to share your story with the world and spread a message of love and acceptance. Past GLSEN Student Ambassador's have been featured on ABC, CNN, The Huffington Post and even the New York Times! For more information, check out their website (Gay, Lesbian, & Straight Education Network, 2013). |