www.ambiente.us JANUARY | ENERO 2011
THE TREVOR PROJECT | REPAIRING THE WORLD
Researched and Written by David Watters
How and why author Stephanie Silberstein plans to support the Trevor Project
Many of us can take a lifetime to understand and “accept” ourselves, even with
the support of enlightened peers and family members.
Just imagine how it must be for those who grow up in the darkness of a
conservative environment, where there is an active resistance to diversity; where
family and the wider community are intolerant to homosexuality or gender
variance.
Developmental psychologist and psychoanalyst Erik Erikson famously said,
“Someday, maybe, there will exist a well-informed, well-considered, and yet
fervent public conviction that the most deadly of all possible sins is the mutilation
of a child's spirit”.
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people continue to live in a world
where singular sexuality is promoted, binary definitions of gender prevail and
where heterosexism dominates every aspect of culture.
For many individuals identifying as LGBT, there can be a social disconnection,
not through choice but through their awareness of “otherness” and of a difference
which is sadly still perceived as “less than”.
For those isolated individuals, who are or perceive themselves to be
THE TREVOR PROJECT | REPAIRING THE WORLD
Researched and Written by David Watters
How and why author Stephanie Silberstein plans to support the Trevor Project
Many of us can take a lifetime to understand and “accept” ourselves, even with
the support of enlightened peers and family members.
Just imagine how it must be for those who grow up in the darkness of a
conservative environment, where there is an active resistance to diversity; where
family and the wider community are intolerant to homosexuality or gender
variance.
Developmental psychologist and psychoanalyst Erik Erikson famously said,
“Someday, maybe, there will exist a well-informed, well-considered, and yet
fervent public conviction that the most deadly of all possible sins is the mutilation
of a child's spirit”.
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people continue to live in a world
where singular sexuality is promoted, binary definitions of gender prevail and
where heterosexism dominates every aspect of culture.
For many individuals identifying as LGBT, there can be a social disconnection,
not through choice but through their awareness of “otherness” and of a difference
which is sadly still perceived as “less than”.
For those isolated individuals, who are or perceive themselves to be
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without family support, the feelings of invalidity and hopelessness can be
overwhelming.
In 2010, the impact of this was all too clearly and shockingly illustrated, with the
tragic deaths, through suicide, of so many desperately lost, tormented and
disenfranchised young people, who could find no other alternative than to
prematurely leave this world.
Charles Robbins, Executive Director and CEO of the Trevor Project had this to
say, “Much like cancer used to be the unmentionable health epidemic; it’s now
suicide and has been. Suicide, in America, is the third leading cause of death
among youths in general and LGBTQ youths are up to four times as likely to
attempt suicide”.
There are so many ways to engage in social change, to participate in assisting
others, and it is vital that we recognize and support the numerous local, national
and international organisations which exist to celebrate diversity, advocate
equality and assist the vulnerable to achieve the self-belief and confidence to
make better and more positive life decisions.
The Trevor Project is the leading national organization focused on crisis and
suicide prevention efforts among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and
questioning (LGBTQ) youth.
They are determined to end suicide among LGBTQ youth by providing life-
saving and life-affirming resources including a nationwide, 24/7 crisis
intervention lifeline, digital community and advocacy/educational programs that
create a safe, supportive and positive environment for everyone.
By providing these critical resources, The Trevor Project, are key players in
actively advocating a future where possibilities, opportunities and dreams are the
same for all youth, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
Charles Robbins, who has greatly inspired my work as an Equality Advocate
and is a vital contributor who has influenced the direction of my book, NEVER
BLEND IN, told me:
Youths reach out to us in a time of crisis or when they are actually experiencing
suicide ideation and our goal is, clearly if it is a high risk or
overwhelming.
In 2010, the impact of this was all too clearly and shockingly illustrated, with the
tragic deaths, through suicide, of so many desperately lost, tormented and
disenfranchised young people, who could find no other alternative than to
prematurely leave this world.
Charles Robbins, Executive Director and CEO of the Trevor Project had this to
say, “Much like cancer used to be the unmentionable health epidemic; it’s now
suicide and has been. Suicide, in America, is the third leading cause of death
among youths in general and LGBTQ youths are up to four times as likely to
attempt suicide”.
There are so many ways to engage in social change, to participate in assisting
others, and it is vital that we recognize and support the numerous local, national
and international organisations which exist to celebrate diversity, advocate
equality and assist the vulnerable to achieve the self-belief and confidence to
make better and more positive life decisions.
The Trevor Project is the leading national organization focused on crisis and
suicide prevention efforts among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and
questioning (LGBTQ) youth.
They are determined to end suicide among LGBTQ youth by providing life-
saving and life-affirming resources including a nationwide, 24/7 crisis
intervention lifeline, digital community and advocacy/educational programs that
create a safe, supportive and positive environment for everyone.
By providing these critical resources, The Trevor Project, are key players in
actively advocating a future where possibilities, opportunities and dreams are the
same for all youth, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
Charles Robbins, who has greatly inspired my work as an Equality Advocate
and is a vital contributor who has influenced the direction of my book, NEVER
BLEND IN, told me:
Youths reach out to us in a time of crisis or when they are actually experiencing
suicide ideation and our goal is, clearly if it is a high risk or
| . |
rescue call, and a rescue would mean that
there is imminent danger of them harming
themselves, we would deploy rescue
services to that youth.
Usually those calls are a one time
relationship, meaning that the youth at
some point in time in their life came to this
kind of critical juncture, reached out to us,
we were able to take the call and in some
way provide some kind of help; whether it’s
emergency medical services or more often
it is reducing the risk level from a high or
medium risk to a low or no risk.
What we found, in doing all that work,
was that our relationship with our
constituency was just that one phone call.
So what we noticed and what we felt was
missing was some kind of continuum of care and
that’s why we decided to deploy the website, because it provided
linkage for youths. One statistic that’s really interesting for us is that two thirds of
the calls that originate, originate from non-urban areas in the US, so you can
imagine these are the mid-West, the South, areas where there’s a higher
concentration of conservatism and conservative religious backgrounds and not a
lot of services.
In order for us to effectively tackle both homophobia and Transphobia, in order
for the younger generation to feel worthy, valid and empowered, in order, let’s be
blunt, to SAVE lives, we must all engage in actions which address discrimination
and prejudicial attitudes in every area of our society; our schools and universities,
our workplaces, our communities and our shopping malls.
We all have the potential to use our particular skills to educate and bring light to
the world. Whatever those strengths, whatever those core character traits, there is
something that each individual can do to
there is imminent danger of them harming
themselves, we would deploy rescue
services to that youth.
Usually those calls are a one time
relationship, meaning that the youth at
some point in time in their life came to this
kind of critical juncture, reached out to us,
we were able to take the call and in some
way provide some kind of help; whether it’s
emergency medical services or more often
it is reducing the risk level from a high or
medium risk to a low or no risk.
What we found, in doing all that work,
was that our relationship with our
constituency was just that one phone call.
So what we noticed and what we felt was
missing was some kind of continuum of care and
that’s why we decided to deploy the website, because it provided
linkage for youths. One statistic that’s really interesting for us is that two thirds of
the calls that originate, originate from non-urban areas in the US, so you can
imagine these are the mid-West, the South, areas where there’s a higher
concentration of conservatism and conservative religious backgrounds and not a
lot of services.
In order for us to effectively tackle both homophobia and Transphobia, in order
for the younger generation to feel worthy, valid and empowered, in order, let’s be
blunt, to SAVE lives, we must all engage in actions which address discrimination
and prejudicial attitudes in every area of our society; our schools and universities,
our workplaces, our communities and our shopping malls.
We all have the potential to use our particular skills to educate and bring light to
the world. Whatever those strengths, whatever those core character traits, there is
something that each individual can do to
| . |
influence change in the world.
One such person is author Stephanie Silberstein, who has utilised her
considerable talents to create the novel Shades of Gay, an engaging work of
sensitivity, compassion and humanity.
Shades of Gay is described by Silberstein as a young adult novel, written
specifically for LGBT teens, which features three teenagers caught up in a love
triangle of sorts: Arthur, who is gay; Mitch, who is bisexual; and Emily, who is
asexual.
The novel is told from Arthur's point of view, and examines
the effects of homophobia on LGBT teen's lives, as well as
delving into coming-of-age issues such as leaving home
and holding onto friendships for longer than appropriate.
Author, Stephanie Silberstein, created Shades of Gay in response to a close
friend's struggle to accept his orientation. The novel is intended to support LGBT
teens who may be feeling isolated and/or suicidal and 10% of the novel's profits
will go to support the Trevor Project.
Stephanie told me:
My main interest as an LGBT advocate is in suicide prevention. My best friend
nearly committed suicide, in the summer of 2008, because of non-acceptance of
his sexual orientation. Even at times when he was not acutely suicidal, he was
suffering and hurting.
Nobody should be in that kind of pain just because they don’t happen to be
heterosexual.
I decided to write my novel, Shades of Gay, in honor of his struggles. It is for
him and for all the people who still suffer from depression/suicidal thoughts and
impulses because of being LGBT.
Somewhere along the way, I learned that his situation is not at all uncommon;
in fact, 1 out of 3 suicides are LGBT related. At this point, I realized my mission
was bigger than writing a book for LGBT young adults.
One such person is author Stephanie Silberstein, who has utilised her
considerable talents to create the novel Shades of Gay, an engaging work of
sensitivity, compassion and humanity.
Shades of Gay is described by Silberstein as a young adult novel, written
specifically for LGBT teens, which features three teenagers caught up in a love
triangle of sorts: Arthur, who is gay; Mitch, who is bisexual; and Emily, who is
asexual.
The novel is told from Arthur's point of view, and examines
the effects of homophobia on LGBT teen's lives, as well as
delving into coming-of-age issues such as leaving home
and holding onto friendships for longer than appropriate.
Author, Stephanie Silberstein, created Shades of Gay in response to a close
friend's struggle to accept his orientation. The novel is intended to support LGBT
teens who may be feeling isolated and/or suicidal and 10% of the novel's profits
will go to support the Trevor Project.
Stephanie told me:
My main interest as an LGBT advocate is in suicide prevention. My best friend
nearly committed suicide, in the summer of 2008, because of non-acceptance of
his sexual orientation. Even at times when he was not acutely suicidal, he was
suffering and hurting.
Nobody should be in that kind of pain just because they don’t happen to be
heterosexual.
I decided to write my novel, Shades of Gay, in honor of his struggles. It is for
him and for all the people who still suffer from depression/suicidal thoughts and
impulses because of being LGBT.
Somewhere along the way, I learned that his situation is not at all uncommon;
in fact, 1 out of 3 suicides are LGBT related. At this point, I realized my mission
was bigger than writing a book for LGBT young adults.
| . |
I wanted to dedicate my life to lowering the suicide rate in the LGBT community.
This issue has become even more important to me now because I’m realizing
that it is not a ‘hot button” issue like many of the legal issues we are dealing with.
I believe this issue is just as important and needs as much press time/advocacy
time as marriage equality. Our community is losing members to suicide on a
daily basis. My mission is to change that.
There are many ways to make a difference, many methods to repair the world. It’
s not necessarily about writing a book and it’s not even about waving a placard or
marching in a parade, unless that’s your style. Instead, it’s about finding the
correct method of communication for you.
Sign that petition, tweet and retweet your views, repost a powerful YouTube
video or an article you’ve found, Facebook or MySpace it, write to your political
leaders, talk to, write to, email if you have to politicians, police forces, health
services, broadcasters and employers so that they too can all positively influence
the way that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people are perceived.
Above all, take a moment to view The Trevor Project’s website where you can
access information on their mission, values and service provision portfolio.
We should not be complacent and presume that, without our support, the Trevor
Project will continue to exist. They are literally a lifeline providing support services
to those who have all but lost hope; yet who have, in their time of crisis, found the
courage to reach out.
Charles Robbins tells us why the Trevor Project needs public support and
emphasises the need for us all to remain vigilant:
The single most important act that anyone can do is to send a contribution
because we are not government funded; we rely solely on the goodwill of the
general public. It’s an investment that goes a long way because it really only
costs about fifteen dollars to answer one call and, therefore, one fifteen dollar gift
is literally saving one life. Financial contributions matter and then also what we’ve
posted on our website are the warning signs of suicide and it’s really important
for us to have people
This issue has become even more important to me now because I’m realizing
that it is not a ‘hot button” issue like many of the legal issues we are dealing with.
I believe this issue is just as important and needs as much press time/advocacy
time as marriage equality. Our community is losing members to suicide on a
daily basis. My mission is to change that.
There are many ways to make a difference, many methods to repair the world. It’
s not necessarily about writing a book and it’s not even about waving a placard or
marching in a parade, unless that’s your style. Instead, it’s about finding the
correct method of communication for you.
Sign that petition, tweet and retweet your views, repost a powerful YouTube
video or an article you’ve found, Facebook or MySpace it, write to your political
leaders, talk to, write to, email if you have to politicians, police forces, health
services, broadcasters and employers so that they too can all positively influence
the way that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people are perceived.
Above all, take a moment to view The Trevor Project’s website where you can
access information on their mission, values and service provision portfolio.
We should not be complacent and presume that, without our support, the Trevor
Project will continue to exist. They are literally a lifeline providing support services
to those who have all but lost hope; yet who have, in their time of crisis, found the
courage to reach out.
Charles Robbins tells us why the Trevor Project needs public support and
emphasises the need for us all to remain vigilant:
The single most important act that anyone can do is to send a contribution
because we are not government funded; we rely solely on the goodwill of the
general public. It’s an investment that goes a long way because it really only
costs about fifteen dollars to answer one call and, therefore, one fifteen dollar gift
is literally saving one life. Financial contributions matter and then also what we’ve
posted on our website are the warning signs of suicide and it’s really important
for us to have people
| . |
read what those warning signs are for two reasons:
1. Should anyone ever have a friend or family member
who exhibits those signs, you really need to know what to do
2. It’s very empowering for people to be able to talk
about the subject of suicide, because it’s often, it’s like the
hidden epidemic, it’s something that a lot of people just
don’t talk about and so to be able to arm yourself with some
educational talking points I think is just a very, very helpful
way in helping to reduce suicide across the country, here in
the United States, and I’m sure anywhere else.
Each and every one of us has an obligation to take responsibility for making our
society safer, fairer and more inclusive and we should not rely on the good will
and hard work of others to secure that just and equal society, whilst complaining
that we ourselves are powerless.
We can no longer wait for another Harvey Milk to follow or rely solely on the high
profile leaders of this world, the pioneers, a visionaries, to fight our fight; but
instead must learn ways to be tenacious, tireless and determined advocates for
social equality ourselves.
We must, ourselves, find the strength, resolve and determination to lead and
influence the change we want to see, to bring hope to those who have none.
Somehow in some way we too can be capable of great things.
As Stephanie Silberstein says, “I live by the principle of Tikkun Olam. God calls
Jewish people to repair the world. According to the Kaballah, when we do mitzvot
(good deeds), we reclaim the lost pieces of God. In addition, on a personal level,
I feel my life has meaning when I have helped and/or positively affected others.
So I strive to make people’s lives better and by so doing make the world a little
better”.
1. Should anyone ever have a friend or family member
who exhibits those signs, you really need to know what to do
2. It’s very empowering for people to be able to talk
about the subject of suicide, because it’s often, it’s like the
hidden epidemic, it’s something that a lot of people just
don’t talk about and so to be able to arm yourself with some
educational talking points I think is just a very, very helpful
way in helping to reduce suicide across the country, here in
the United States, and I’m sure anywhere else.
Each and every one of us has an obligation to take responsibility for making our
society safer, fairer and more inclusive and we should not rely on the good will
and hard work of others to secure that just and equal society, whilst complaining
that we ourselves are powerless.
We can no longer wait for another Harvey Milk to follow or rely solely on the high
profile leaders of this world, the pioneers, a visionaries, to fight our fight; but
instead must learn ways to be tenacious, tireless and determined advocates for
social equality ourselves.
We must, ourselves, find the strength, resolve and determination to lead and
influence the change we want to see, to bring hope to those who have none.
Somehow in some way we too can be capable of great things.
As Stephanie Silberstein says, “I live by the principle of Tikkun Olam. God calls
Jewish people to repair the world. According to the Kaballah, when we do mitzvot
(good deeds), we reclaim the lost pieces of God. In addition, on a personal level,
I feel my life has meaning when I have helped and/or positively affected others.
So I strive to make people’s lives better and by so doing make the world a little
better”.
| . |
Save Lives/Take Action
www.thetrevorproject.org
If you are feeling suicidal, please call their 24-hour lifeline immediately at
866-4-U-TREVOR [866.488.7386]. All calls are confidential and toll-free from
anywhere in the United States 24-hours a day, 7 days a week.
SUICIDE RESOURCES:
www.thetrevorproject.org/suicide-resources/suicidal-signs
YOUTH RESOURCES:
thetrevorproject.org/youth/lifeline
VOLUNTEER: www.thetrevorproject.org/volunteers/opportunities
DONATE: www.thetrevorproject.org/investors/ways-give
STEPHANIE SILBERSTEIN:
Shades of Gay - Author Interview: http://vimeo.com/14876927
FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/shadesofgay
Shades of Gay KINDLE EDITION:
www.amazon.com/dp/B004FGLNLU
www.amazon.co.uk/Shades-of-Gay/dp/B004FGLNLU
CLICK HERE for more David Watters
Copyright 2011 © AMBIENTE MAGAZINE. Do not reproduce without citing this source.
www.thetrevorproject.org
If you are feeling suicidal, please call their 24-hour lifeline immediately at
866-4-U-TREVOR [866.488.7386]. All calls are confidential and toll-free from
anywhere in the United States 24-hours a day, 7 days a week.
SUICIDE RESOURCES:
www.thetrevorproject.org/suicide-resources/suicidal-signs
YOUTH RESOURCES:
thetrevorproject.org/youth/lifeline
VOLUNTEER: www.thetrevorproject.org/volunteers/opportunities
DONATE: www.thetrevorproject.org/investors/ways-give
STEPHANIE SILBERSTEIN:
Shades of Gay - Author Interview: http://vimeo.com/14876927
FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/shadesofgay
Shades of Gay KINDLE EDITION:
www.amazon.com/dp/B004FGLNLU
www.amazon.co.uk/Shades-of-Gay/dp/B004FGLNLU
CLICK HERE for more David Watters
Copyright 2011 © AMBIENTE MAGAZINE. Do not reproduce without citing this source.