Blog

The Power of Affirmation: Stories from Trevor Staff

The Power of Affirmation: Stories from Trevor Staff Affirmation is life-giving. It is an incredibly powerful feeling to be understood, accepted, and celebrated for who you are, especially when understanding and affirmation are hard to come by. So many LGBTQ+ young people struggle to find that affirmation, whether at school, in their own homes, or with themselves. And holidays approaching reminds many LGBTQ+ young people of places they cannot be themselves. We deeply wish for every LGBTQ+ young person to have at least one person they can rely on for support (which is why we’re here 24/7) because we know…
Photo of Daniel Quasar
Blog

A Conversation With Daniel Quasar on Pride Flags, LGBTQ+ History, and Mental Health

Written by Sue Cardenas-Soto (they/them), Copywriter Daniel Quasar (they/ze) calls themselves an “accidental designer,” but they’re definitely one who has made an impact on LGBTQ+ history. Quasar designed the Progress Pride flag in 2018, an updated design that incorporated Monica Helm’s Trans Pride flag, the traditional Gilbert Baker Pride flag, and elements of Philadelphia and Seattle’s Pride flags. The trans flag stripes and black and brown stripes were shifted to the hoist and given a chevron shape, pointing to the right to symbolize forward movement. SUE: Can you tell me about the process of designing the flag? QUASAR: I was…
Blog

Online Safety for LGBTQ+ Young People

The Trevor Project and our partner Gen have collaborated on a timely new Guide to Online Safety for LGBTQ+ Young People, allowing our young people and parents to explore positive ways for social media and the internet to build community and mitigate the risks of bullying, scams, and other dangers. Check out our Guide and consider sharing it with the young people in your life.
Blog

Practicing Self-Care, Step-by-Step

If you find yourself feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, or just “off,” you’re not alone. Everyone needs to take care of themselves, even if it’s just enjoying a quick snack or doing simple breathing exercises. Self-care is essential, but it can be challenging to make time for it. And if you struggle with your mental health, it can be even tougher to make self-care a part of your routine. To make self-care a little easier, we made a guide that will take you step-by-step through different forms of self-care. You don’t have to follow it to the letter, but we hope this…
Waist high picture of Selina Peña wearing a white shirt and black vest.
Blog

Allyship In The Classroom With Selina Peña

For Selina Peña (she/they), queer Chicanx educator and content creator, school has always been a refuge. She teaches at the very high school she graduated from, a school that provided a safe haven from her home environment. “Growing up in a bordertown, I took on various roles, including translator and caretaker,” Selina explained. “Now, as a queer Latina high school teacher in south Texas, I'm committed to fostering an inclusive and empowering classroom. I am aware of the value of representation in school and how it affects students' sense of identity and self-worth. I work hard to make sure my…
Trevor Talks Episode two logo How to talk safely about suicide.
Blog

TrevorTalks Unpacks Talking About Suicide Safely

One of the hardest topics to talk about is suicide. Many of us may know people who have attempted or lost their lives to suicide, but talking about it can often feel taboo. We live in a society that sweeps a lot of tough conversations under the rug. In 2017, a person died by suicide every 11 minutes. It’s the second leading cause of death among young people ages 10-14, and the third leading cause for young people ages 15-24. Suicide is currently considered a public health crisis in the United States. But even though it’s such a common cause…
Blog

The 25th Anniversary of TrevorLifeline

August 11 is an anniversary that defines Trevor’s legacy. The Trevor Project’s formal founding occurred on March 25, 1998, but August 11 marks the 25-year anniversary of the launch of TrevorLifeline, the first 24/7 national lifeline supporting LGBTQ youth in crisis.  The Academy Award®-winning short film, “Trevor,” a story about an LGBTQ teen who attempts suicide, was set to air nationally on HBO on August 11. The filmmakers — Peggy Rajski, Randy Stone, and Celeste Lecesne — wanted to include a number to a suicide lifeline for young people that might feel similar to Trevor’s character. After learning that LGBTQ…
3 people sitting shoulder to shoulder with arms around each other's shoulders
Blog

BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month: Navigating Stigma

BIPOC communities have historically faced discrimination, systemic inequalities, and social injustices — all of which have profound impacts on mental health. This BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month, it is essential to highlight the disparities that exist in access to mental health services among BIPOC communities. It’s important that we continue advocating for equitable resources and promoting the destigmatization of both asking for and receiving help. Stigma surrounding mental health is prevalent in many communities, often leading to shame, silence, and avoidance. Within BIPOC communities specifically, cultural factors and historical trauma can further complicate discussions around mental health. Breaking these stigmas…
Textured image of green, yellow and orange
Blog

Juneteenth and BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month

Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, commemorates the emancipation of enslaved Black people in the United States. As we honor Juneteenth, we must also acknowledge the ongoing systemic racism and discrimination that Black people and other people of color face in our society. Racism and discrimination have a significant impact on mental health, and it is essential to recognize and address this issue.  That is why The Trevor Project is proud to celebrate Juneteenth, but also start the conversation around BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month which starts on July 1st. This month-long observance aims to raise awareness of the mental…