We have a tendency to only post negative things on here, I suppose its a lot easier to find the negatives in life than to search out the positives, but this blog is supposed to help people and show them that there is help and hope even in the darkest of times. Which despite the way we may feel at times, is true.
On September 20, 2011 the Don't Ask Don't Tell policy was lifted leaving many individuals the nerve-wracking task of telling their loved ones that they are in fact homosexual. How their families would react not only in finding out that they are gay but that they have been lying to them for so long, is something that I can imagine weighed heavily on each of them. One solider, while still stationed in Germany, bravely took this opportunity to tell his dad and recorded the whole thing; placing it on YouTube for everyone to see. Telling my dad that i am gay-Live
The way the man reacted is exactly how a parent should react. Not ashamed or disappointed but by constantly reassuring his son that "I'm very proud of you, and I will always love you," with the two even joking around some by the end of the clip.
There is hope even in the hours where you're most afraid. I hope this man's courage helps to prove this to you.
Friday, September 23, 2011
There is Hope
With all the tragedy that seems to surround gay and lesbian youth I wanted to let everyone know about some places they can go to get help. Suicide should never be an option and if you feel like life has gotten to be too much to bear than please talk to someone. Nothing is worth taking your life over. Nothing and no one.
The Trevor Project was actually created in 1998 by James Lecesne, Peggy Rajski, and Randy Stone after creating Trevor, a dramedy about Trevor, a gay thirteen-year-old boy who, when rejected by friends because of his sexuality, makes an attempt to take his life. The Trevor Lifeline was formed and it became the first nationwide, around-the-clock crisis and suicide prevention helpline for LGBTQ youth. They also provide online support as well as resources for parents and educators. Since then it has been supported by celebrities ranging from Neil Patrick Harris and Chris Colfer to Daniel Radcliffe and James Marsden.
The Trevor Lifeline is a nationwide, around the clock, toll free, confidential service with trained counselors that will listen without judgement. 866-4-U-TREVOR/(866-488-7386)
Ask Trevor is a online non-time sensitive, Question & Answer resource for young people with questions surrounding sexual orientation and gender identity. http://thetrevorproject.org/node/add/dear-trevor
TrevorChat is a free, confidential, secure online messaging service that provides live help through this website. TrevorChat is only intended to assist those who are not at risk for suicide. It's available on Fridays between the hours of 1:00 PM Pacific (4 PM Eastern) and 5:00 PM Pacific (7:00 PM Eastern). There you can connect with a volunteer who can support you with your concerns and questions.
TrevorSpace is a social networking site for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth ages 13 through 24 and their friends and allies. http://trevorspace.org
The Trevor Project also provides resources and facts about how you can help someone you feel may be contemplating suicide as well as many ways to participate in the project from volunteering to donations ranging from $5.00 to $500.00
You can check out the Trevor Project and each of its services at http://www.thetrevorproject.org/
As many of you know there is an online campaign called the "It Gets Better Project" which has over 22,000 videos of hope and encouragement; many of them by celebrities such as True Blood's Ryan Kwanten and Chris Bauer to politician Jim Morgan and even the Tampa Bay Rays and the Phillies. For more information you can read our post about it It Gets Better Project or go to http://www.itgetsbetter.org/ and check it out for yourself.
The 'Stop Bullying: Speak Up' campaign is another project in which you can pledge to do your part by speaking out against bullies and to speak up when you suspect someone is being treated improperly. It has been endorsed by everyone from Anderson Cooper to Selena Gomez and even has CNN, Cartoon Network and Sports Illustrated involved. You can get a better idea about the pledge by visiting Stop Bullying: Speak Up or jump right in and take the pledge at http://facebook.com/stopbullyingspeakup The 'It Gets Better' campaign has a similar pledge on their site as well.
The Trevor Project was actually created in 1998 by James Lecesne, Peggy Rajski, and Randy Stone after creating Trevor, a dramedy about Trevor, a gay thirteen-year-old boy who, when rejected by friends because of his sexuality, makes an attempt to take his life. The Trevor Lifeline was formed and it became the first nationwide, around-the-clock crisis and suicide prevention helpline for LGBTQ youth. They also provide online support as well as resources for parents and educators. Since then it has been supported by celebrities ranging from Neil Patrick Harris and Chris Colfer to Daniel Radcliffe and James Marsden.
The Trevor Lifeline is a nationwide, around the clock, toll free, confidential service with trained counselors that will listen without judgement. 866-4-U-TREVOR/(866-488-7386)
Ask Trevor is a online non-time sensitive, Question & Answer resource for young people with questions surrounding sexual orientation and gender identity. http://thetrevorproject.org/node/add/dear-trevor
TrevorChat is a free, confidential, secure online messaging service that provides live help through this website. TrevorChat is only intended to assist those who are not at risk for suicide. It's available on Fridays between the hours of 1:00 PM Pacific (4 PM Eastern) and 5:00 PM Pacific (7:00 PM Eastern). There you can connect with a volunteer who can support you with your concerns and questions.
TrevorSpace is a social networking site for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth ages 13 through 24 and their friends and allies. http://trevorspace.org
The Trevor Project also provides resources and facts about how you can help someone you feel may be contemplating suicide as well as many ways to participate in the project from volunteering to donations ranging from $5.00 to $500.00
You can check out the Trevor Project and each of its services at http://www.thetrevorproject.org/
As many of you know there is an online campaign called the "It Gets Better Project" which has over 22,000 videos of hope and encouragement; many of them by celebrities such as True Blood's Ryan Kwanten and Chris Bauer to politician Jim Morgan and even the Tampa Bay Rays and the Phillies. For more information you can read our post about it It Gets Better Project or go to http://www.itgetsbetter.org/ and check it out for yourself.
The 'Stop Bullying: Speak Up' campaign is another project in which you can pledge to do your part by speaking out against bullies and to speak up when you suspect someone is being treated improperly. It has been endorsed by everyone from Anderson Cooper to Selena Gomez and even has CNN, Cartoon Network and Sports Illustrated involved. You can get a better idea about the pledge by visiting Stop Bullying: Speak Up or jump right in and take the pledge at http://facebook.com/stopbullyingspeakup The 'It Gets Better' campaign has a similar pledge on their site as well.
Teen contributor to 'It Gets Better Project' takes his own life
On Sunday Sept 18th 14yr old Jamey Rodemeyer committed suicide. Jamey had been questioning his sexuality and was constantly harassed for it, not only in school but online as well. He was told things such as "JAMIE IS STUPID, GAY, FAT ANND UGLY. HE MUST DIE!” and “I wouldn't care if you died. No one would. So just do it :) It would make everyone WAY more happier!”
Despite all he was going through Jamey still tried to make the world better for other people going through the same difficulties. He participated in the 'It Gets Better Project' his video reaching over 700,000 views. Unfortunately for Jamey it did not get better and during Suicide Prevention Week (Sept. 4-10) he posted "No one in my school cares about preventing suicide, while you're the ones calling me [gay slur] and tearing me down."
"I always say how bullied I am, but no one listens, "What do I have to do so people will listen to me?"
Less than two weeks later he was found dead outside his New York home. Police have decided to open a criminal investigation about the case and the Amherst Police Department's Special Victims Unit has said it will determine whether to charge some students with harassment, cyber-harassment or hate crimes. Police said three students in particular might have been involved.
When will we realize that despite our differences, no matter what they may be, that bullying just isnt an option anymore? How many years will it take for us to stop seeing skin color, sexual prefence, religious views, etc.. and see the person underneath it all? Are we just going to keep going in circles, because we were supposed to be better than this. One day when these ignorant kids grow up they're going lie awake in bed and realize the pain they've caused, old and alone they're going to realize that their hatered drove people to their death and I can promise that that will be worse than any punishment the law can dish out. I know that I certainly wouldn't want to live with that on my shoulders, I can't imagine anyone would.
I leave you with Jamey's video and one final thought: If it were you being treated this way, or your sister/brother/best friend, would you stand by and watch them become so worn down and alone that the only option for them is to take their own life, or would you stand up and do something?
http://www.youtube.com/user/itgetsbetterproject#p/f/13/-Pb1CaGMdWk
Despite all he was going through Jamey still tried to make the world better for other people going through the same difficulties. He participated in the 'It Gets Better Project' his video reaching over 700,000 views. Unfortunately for Jamey it did not get better and during Suicide Prevention Week (Sept. 4-10) he posted "No one in my school cares about preventing suicide, while you're the ones calling me [gay slur] and tearing me down."
"I always say how bullied I am, but no one listens, "What do I have to do so people will listen to me?"
Less than two weeks later he was found dead outside his New York home. Police have decided to open a criminal investigation about the case and the Amherst Police Department's Special Victims Unit has said it will determine whether to charge some students with harassment, cyber-harassment or hate crimes. Police said three students in particular might have been involved.
When will we realize that despite our differences, no matter what they may be, that bullying just isnt an option anymore? How many years will it take for us to stop seeing skin color, sexual prefence, religious views, etc.. and see the person underneath it all? Are we just going to keep going in circles, because we were supposed to be better than this. One day when these ignorant kids grow up they're going lie awake in bed and realize the pain they've caused, old and alone they're going to realize that their hatered drove people to their death and I can promise that that will be worse than any punishment the law can dish out. I know that I certainly wouldn't want to live with that on my shoulders, I can't imagine anyone would.
I leave you with Jamey's video and one final thought: If it were you being treated this way, or your sister/brother/best friend, would you stand by and watch them become so worn down and alone that the only option for them is to take their own life, or would you stand up and do something?
http://www.youtube.com/user/itgetsbetterproject#p/f/13/-Pb1CaGMdWk
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