In my books Across the Bridge and Across the Bridge 2, I write a lot about how it is important to remove yourself from negative messaging. This is easier said then done depending on your individual situation, but not impossible with the help of queer community organizations, positive family members and friends. Options for removing yourself from negative messaging should never be suicide!
The Trevor Project
thetrevorproject.org
1-866-488-7386
Text START to 678678
LGBT National Hotline
1-888-843-4564
Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG, original meaning) is an amazing organization that provides support, education, and advocacy for parents and allies. They provide a safe-space support group for attendees wanting to support their LGBTQIA+ family member or friend, but don’t know how. I highly recommend this organization (they hold local meetings) for parents whose child has just come out to them. They provide a safe space for discussion and meeting others going through the same process of learning how to support their queer child.
2025 Statistics from The Trevor Project
47% (a rise from 41% in 2024) of LGBTQIA+ youth are considering suicide.
43% of transgender and nonbinary youth are considering suicide.
Reasons: anti-LGBTQIA+ policies, family rejection, lack of mental health care, discrimination and harm, bullying and violence.
The Human Rights Campaign is a premium source for planning one’s coming out plan. I used HRC as a reference when I created my own coming out plan. I highly recommend the organization.
Human Rights Campaign (HRC)
hrc.org
To this day, I vividly remember the feelings of hopelessness, emptiness, having no one to talk to, and an adolescent wonder of why queer people have to hide. Why is queer love discouraged? All of these emotions hit me at once. I just wanted to end my life because it seemed like I had no future because of who I naturally was. Then…
At the same time, a feeling washed over me, asking me to wait a moment. This sense of being different felt completely natural. It hurt no one. Looking back, I sensed the first signs of pride. This feeling was stronger than the urge to end my life. That was when I decided to choose life, but I knew changes were needed.
Just like it happened yesterday, I still remember those exact feelings the night I decided to take my life—especially the overwhelming desire to die. I now realize that suicide is not the answer. Making positive and supportive change is.
Ask yourself, do I want to give life a chance? Please say yes!
The most important change is often removing yourself from a negative environment and moving to a more supportive one. Once you do that, along with education, you can accomplish anything. Will it be difficult? Absolutely yes!
There is support, community, and many of us who have experienced the same or worse. YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
PLEASE CHOOSE LIFE!
I am so impressed with GenderCool. This organization provides education and advocacy training for transgender youth at a time when it is very much needed. This is a program that can take you from hopelessness to advocacy. They can be reached at (info@gendercool.org or gendercool.org):
