In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with Charles Robbins, Executive Director/CEO of the Trevor Project, the non-profit organization that operates the only nationwide, around-the-clock crisis and suicide prevention helpline for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth. LGBTQ teens are up to four times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers. Over the last few months numerous teens have taken their own lives after facing bullying incidents. When asked how can we turn this around and reach these kids, Robbins stated, “It is troubling to know that young people are taking their lives and we know that many young people are not necessarily help seeking. So it’s important that we reach out to these kids by providing them with resources they need to know that there is an affirming place that they can contact where they can find support and know that they’re not alone. And that’s why the Trevor Project exists. You know with our 24 hour lifeline and our robust website, that’s really how we’re hoping to reach young people. We know that they’re online, we know that they’re using technology and that’s really the forefront of how we’re trying to reach them.”
Every year The Trevor Project brings together top talent to celebrate and honor leaders and role models for LGBTQ young people. On Sunday, December 5th, Hollywood’s most talented and irreverent stars will gather at the Hollywood Palladium to celebrate “Trevor LIVE”, the annual show benefiting The Trevor Project. This year’s Trevor Life Award honoree is Emmy winning actor/comedian Kathy Griffin, who has been an outspoken advocate for equality. Griffin stated, “This past year, we heard about a number of tragic suicides and whether we were part of the community or not, many of us wondered how we could help. I’ve been fortunate to have had the platform and recognition to beat the drum for change and not get kicked out of the band. My goal is to help raise awareness about what everyone can do to save lives and I’m honored that The Trevor Project has selected me to receive the Trevor Life Award.” This year's Trevor Hope Award honoree is Levi Strauss & Co. Celebrated director, producer and choreographer Adam Shankman and Emmy winning writer Bruce Vilanch are teaming up as Producing Director and Head Writer for Trevor LIVE. This high-profile event has honored actors and comedians including Neil Patrick Harris and Ellen DeGeneres and corporate trailblazers such as Wells-Fargo and Clear Channel Communications for their support of LGBTQ youth.
For Event Tickets & More Info: thetrevorproject.org
2 comments:
This is great. We need to keep this momentum going. All news becomes just that... news of the past. We need to keep this subject alive for a long, long time. The suicides are symptomatic and very telling of how much we need to bring about change in public policy and extinguish the hate. I will continue to maintain that homo phobia must become a diagnosis and must be included in the Diagnostic Manual of Mental Disorders. Statistics are important measures. The American Psychiatric Association could play a major role in making this a diagnosis with recommendations for treatment modalities before we will ever wipe out the manifestations of homophobia. It results in a dichotomy of homicides at one end and suicides at the other. We are grateful for The Trevor Project Lifeline and the efforts of everyone stepping up to the plate in speaking out. Celebrities play a major role as public figures in addressing human rights issues. It is also wonderful when regular, everyday people speak up and activists keep the torch flaming.
Greetings from Norway! How are you? I came over this site when reading about The Trevor Project online. Personally I am very supporting of all the work that The Trevor Project is doing and about their crisis lifeline.
I am running my own fundraiser on a site called Crowdrise, here you can see it: http://www.crowdrise.com/fundraiserelise/fundraiser/elisemariemyrvangeik there are many teammembers supporting it from all over the world. I would love you to become a teammember to and help support my fundraiser to raise more funds for helping gay teens.
Cheers,
Elise Marie
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