Warning Signs of Suicide | The Trevor Project

Now that the new year has begun and the festivities are over, it's time to get back to talking about the pressing issues of LGBT bullying, suicide and homelessness.

We present here information from The Trevor Project, one of the nation's leading non-profit organizations for teens that offers many services for LGBTQ teens and others who are struggling with emotional issues surround gender identity, family crisis, bullying and being homeless. That's what this blog is about and the more information I can get out about these socio-economic problems in our society of throw away kids, the better chance I have of saving at least one life.

• Nine out of 10 LGBT students (86.2%) experienced harassment at school; three-fifths (60.8%) felt unsafe at school because of their sexual orientation; and about one-third (32.7%) skipped a day of school in the past month because of feeling unsafe (GLSEN National School Climate Survey 2009).

• LGBT students are three times as likely as non-LGBT students to say that they do not feel safe at school (22% vs. 7%) and 90% of LGBT students (vs. 62% of non-LGBT teens) have been harassed or assaulted during the past year. (GLSEN From Teasing to Torment 2006)

• Sexual minority youth, or teens that identify themselves as gay, lesbian or bisexual, are bullied two to three times more than heterosexuals. (Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH 2010)

• Almost all transgender students had been verbally harassed (e.g., called names or threatened in the past year at school because of their sexual orientation (89%) and gender expression (89%) (GLSEN: Harsh Realities, The Experiences of Transgender Youth In Our Nation’s Schools 2009).

• LGBT youth in rural communities and those with lower adult educational attainment face particularly hostile school climates (JG, Greytak EA, Diaz EM – Journal of Youth & Adolescence 2009)

• Lesbian, gay, and bisexual adolescents are 190 percent more likely to use drugs and alcohol than are heterosexual teens (Marshal MP, Friedman MS, et al – Addiction 2008).

• It is estimated that between 20 and 40 percent of all homeless youth identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, and/or transgender (2006 National Gay & Lesbian Task Force: An Epidemic of Homelessness). 62% of homeless LGB youth will attempt suicide at least once—more than two times as many as their heterosexual peers (Van Leeuwen JMm et al – Child Welfare 2005)

I encourage each of you to first, VOTE in the upcoming elections. The results are going to have a direct impact on all social services directed towards youth in crisis, and second, volunteer, give of your money or time to help put an end to these problems.

Welcome to the New Year 2012 -  time to get going!

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Gay Teen Suicide Awareness | causes.com

This is a "cause" near and dear to my heart, my writing, my life. It's a part of my mission statement and should be for anyone that cares at all about ending teen suicide resulting from bullying of any kind. My wish is that I live long enough to see an end to LGBTQ suicides.

If you can, support where you feel moved to do so, be an activist for equality for all, be aware.

"Gay teens are often isolated, tormented, harassed, beaten, and disowned in an intolerant and ignorant society. Mental health studies have shown that depression and anxiety are extremely common-place in people who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans-gendered, or questioning. The hardship of being a teen, gay, and depressed can be overwhelming and often times leads to suicide.

Suicide is the third leading cause of death for ages 10 - 24 and gay teens are 4 times more likely to commit suicide than their straight peers.

Gay or straight, a person should never have to feel suicide is the only way out. However, due to the alarming percentage of suicides that occur among teens, gay teen suicide is an extremely vital issue that is, for the most part, unknown to many."

Help spread the word. Help save a life.

1. Suicide is the leading cause of death for young adults
2. Gay teens are up to 4 times more likely to commit suicide compared to straight teens
3. Every 5 hours, a gay teen tragicly ends their own life
4. Suicide is not an answer, it's a problem.
5. If you are considering suicide PLEASE Call 1-866-4-U-TREVOR. No matter how much it hurts, it will hurt more people by not calling.

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Frontrunners New York make an "It Gets Better" video

Members of the Front Runners New York running club let LGBT teenagers know that it gets better as part of the It Gets Better Project founded by Dan Savage. If you are an LGBT teenager and are contemplating suicide, please call the Trevor Hotline at 866 4-U-TREVOR or visit www.TheTrevorProject.org.

For more information on how to get involved with the It Gets Better Project, go to the official website at www.ItGetsBetterProject.com. Front Runners New York is a running club for lesbians, gay men and gay-friendly people of all athletic abilities. For more than 30 years, the club has supported a network of men and women that ranges from recreational walkers and joggers to competitive track athletes, road racers and marathoners.

Front Runners was founded on and sticks to a simple mission — to provide lesbians and gays with a healthier life through running. No matter what your pace, preferred distance or racing goal, you will find members to run and train with. Many of our members found lifelong friends, training partners and spouses through the club. At Front Runners New York, we are family in every sense of the word! Whether you are running for fun, competition, fitness, or just want to socialize and get to know other runners, we're glad to have you join us! For more information, visit www.FRNY.org.

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Stomp Out Bullying (.org)

Please support the Trevor Project by joining and help put an end to bullying.

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Updated Blog Site

I finally updated my blog site and intend to keep it going now. You can also find most of the blogs on my FaceBook page at FoxAuthor. You can also link to my StoriesByBM site through the Favorite Links list in the sidebar under "Fiction and Nonfiction..." Thanks for your patience and support. My first book will be out soon under the title, "Friends or What?" It will be published in eBook, PDF, (maybe Kindle) and paperback form.

Daniel Radcliffe honoured with award for gay suicide prevention work

Photo: news.PinkPaper.com

From: Mark Dodyk at news.PinkPaper.com

"Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe is to be honoured by the Trevor Project for his support of the organisation, which helps to tackle suicides amongst lesbian and gay youths.

The Trevor Project’s Hero Award is to be given to Radcliffe in New York in June. The award honours an individual who has been an inspiration to queer youths and has helped raise awareness and understanding of the community through volunteerism and/or their occupation.

Previous recipients include Neil Patrick Harris, Vanessa Williams and Dustin Lance Black.

Since 2009, Radcliffe has made public statements, recorded public service announcements and made significant donations to support the organisation.

“'The people that are doing the heroic things are the people answering phones 24 hours a day in the Trevor call centres,'” Radcliffe said in an interview with the Associated Press.

“'Out of everything that I’ve done so far in my career, I think this is absolutely one of the most important, if not the most important, thing that I’m associated with.'”

Help! Raise money for The Trevor Project this Valentine's Day

Help me raise money this week for my FaceBook "Cause", The Trevor Project, this

Valentine's Day 

by buying your mate's flowers (click on the link above) and they will donate $10 to
The Trevor Project - a 501(c)(3) - that provides resources to help prevent teen suicide through a 24/7 suicide hotline, education resources for schools and other 
tools and materials.

The Trevor Project is the leading national organization focused on crisis and suicide prevention efforts among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth.

A Big THANK YOU and HAPPY VALENTINE"S DAY!