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Here are the facts. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people ages 10 to 24.  Lesbian, gay and bisexual youth are four times more likely to attempt suicide as their straight peers.  Nearly half of young transgender people have seriously thought about taking their lives and one quarter report to having made a suicide attempt. And young adults who are questioning their sexual identity are three times more likely.  When compared to their straight peers, suicide attempts by LGBT youth and questioning youth are four to six times more likely to result in injury, poisoning, or overdose requiring treatment from a doctor or nurse.  LGBT youth who come from not accepting and rejecting families are more than eight times as likely to have attempted suicide than their LGB peers who reported no or low levels of family rejection. One out of every six student’s nationwide (grades 9-12) seriously considered suicide in the past year. Each episode of LGBT victimization, such as physical or verbal harassment or abuse, increases the likelihood of self-harming behavior by two point five times on average.

These statistics are here for your knowledge and can be found at the Trevor Project.  These facts are helpful because, on a personal note, they made me feel less alone.  Most people suffering from depression or another mental illness, can feel alone and scared. Unfortunately, for many members of the LGBT community, it can be hard to find someone to relate to and who can help.   Even if you aren’t a part of the LGBT community, you can still take an active role in working with a queer person who is looking for help. You can learn to become how to be a successful ally, someone who advocates for and supports a community who is not their own.

Here are some helpful tips on becoming an ally and learning to comfort a person who identifies as queer and is asking for help.

“L” is for Love

Remember that love, although it may seem required, is not always given. Youth who identify as queer have a higher rate of not being accepted by their families. Sometimes what they need most is to know that someone is there who loves them and will support them through their struggle.

“G” is for Grateful

Try and remind the individual who identifies as queer you are talking to that you are grateful for them. Remind them that being queer doesn’t define their whole life. For example, if they are really good at DIY (Do It Yourself) projects, remind them how grateful you are for the awesome candles they made you. Their queer identity does not affect their DIY skills at all. We all have multiple identities, multiple aspects of who we are, remind them they are more than “just queer.”

“B” is for Bridging

This is a tricky one. Sometimes when an ally is trying to build a bridge of common ground between themselves and a person who is queer, the queer person find it hard to take their words to heart. Sometimes it’s hard because the queer person might feel like the ally has no idea what they are going through. In cases like these, the best thing an ally can do is listen, and remind them that they are there to do whatever it takes to make them feel better.

“T” is for time

During the life of a person who is queer time plays an important role.  It can vary from a single moment in time (someone getting kicked out of their house because their parents found out they were queer) or a longer period of time (coming out slowly to a few people at a time). In cases like this, I strongly recommend patience, love, and communication. As an ally tell them that you will be there for them.  When they need it, hold their hand, listen and provide feedback/advice.

Even if you do not identify as part of the LGBT community, you still have an important role to play.  You can learn to be an ally.  As I type this blog, I am tearing up. The more I work with queer youth, the more I hear “If I had had just one person to talk to, maybe it wouldn’t have been so hard.” You and I can be that person.  Together we can change the world and make those earlier statistics a truth of the past.  Let’s remind people that they matter.

 


Comments

30
  • Jay Brooks

    I am a gay man, and it truthfully hurts that you are relying on straight individuals (no disrespect) on helping us queer people.
    Please humbly understand that as I come out, my straight Peers make me feel so much more incarcerated! They don’t mean it, nor mean anything by it, but facts are, ‘man cannot serve God and mammon.’
    So who I follow? Who do I try my turn to when my straights make me feel incomoleate, or the other homos are humiliating me as a man? Who is my alpha? Who is my leader between bigotry and ironic self loathing? No help…..

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    • Vibrant Communications

      Jay Brooks, we’re so sorry for these struggles you are going through and we want to help. The Lifeline is here for you any time day or night at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Don’t hesitate to call us for extra support. Your life matters!

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  • ROBERT

    ROBERT ROBERT

    Reply Author

    HE;P

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  • Oili smith

    This is the worst site ever but thank you all for trying now it’s time for me to try by putting my head under water for till I suffocate under the water let this the last I write if you want to know about me I hate my life because every one around me hit me and sexually harass me it is my time to be with my brother josh smith f✊?✊?✊?✊?✊?

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    • Vibrant Communications

      Oili Smith, we’re so sorry to here of all these struggles you are going through and we want to help. No matter how hard things are – hurting yourself is never the answer. The Lifeline is here for you any time day or night at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Don’t hesitate to call us for extra support. Your life matters!

      Posted on

  • kadın

    kadın kadın

    Reply Author

    It was a very detailed and explanatory article. Thank you

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  • ilaç rehberi

    Excellent article Thank you for an explanatory article.

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  • Clubhouse

    In this article, you’ll discover how Clubhouse works and how you can use Clubhouse to build your authority and your business.

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  • Daeion

    Daeion Daeion

    Reply Author

    To support the LGBTQ+ community, I hope you can take these words with grace, just as it was given to me: Don’t say “play” to LGBTQ+ beloved people because they are possible at one point in time or even now, a victim because someone has ABUSED him or her SEXUALLY, harming them in every which way and sometimes words hurt even as it appears innocent. I think it IS IMPORTANT AND IMMEDIATE that you edit your data sheet here in the web page from “play” and “role” to other wise words, please!? People are suicidal and all at once afraid and I think that matters to EVERYONE.

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  • Nicholas cardenas

    I dont support gays and lgbbq

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  • Bob smith

    I don’t quite support this abc community but I feel as if this has helped me better understand life and why i should love others as they are. Thank you. Jesus loves you, all you. ABC people and non-ABC people.

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  • Masal Oku

    Excellent article Thank you for an explanatory article.

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  • Sgk Hizmeti

    I don’t quite support this abc community but I feel as if this has helped me better understand life and why i should love others as they are. Thank you. Jesus loves you, all you. ABC people and non-ABC people.

    Posted on

  • Optimus HABER

    It was a very detailed and explanatory article. Thank you

    Posted on

  • Erden Tercüme

    Thank you

    Posted on

  • Dale Scott

    We all have multiple identities, multiple aspects of who we are, remind them they are more than “just queer.”

    Posted on

  • Dale

    Dale Dale

    Reply Author

    We all have multiple identities, multiple aspects of who we are, remind them they are more than “just queer.”

    Posted on

  • Dale Scott

    We should accept ourselves before considering what other people say.

    Posted on

  • Dale Scott

    We should accept ourselves before considering what other people say.

    Posted on

  • Photographer Prague

    I really appreciate the comments in this post. I will do my part to spread as much love and respect as I can each and every day. Stand proud, stand strong!

    Posted on

  • towing services

    It’s great seeing the comments on this post.

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  • Amanda June

    Hope everything is good.

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  • Glass Railings

    What an amazing journey. Good luck!

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  • Retaining Wall Designer

    Keep loving yourself. That is super important

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  • Gravity Walls

    That is an amazing story. I salute you guys

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  • cam ctc

    cam ctc cam ctc

    Reply Author

    I hope we can all be a good person towards someone else because we do not know the battles that they are fighting within themselves.

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  • boulder walls

    Thanks that very inspirational. amazing story

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