Peggy Rajski
Blog

The Trevor Project’s New National Survey Gives Us Crucial Insight Into the Challenges LGBTQ+ Young People Face

Written by: Peggy Rajski (she/her), Founder & Interim CEO at The Trevor Project When The Trevor Project started back in 1998, research and resources dedicated to examining the day-to-day experiences of LGBTQ+ young people were very limited. Today, while we still have miles to go, I’m proud we can point to how much The Trevor Project has contributed toward closing that gap. Our top-tier research program, composed of leading scientists and experts in the field of LGBTQ+ youth mental health, is dedicated to better understanding both the risk factors and the protective factors impacting this country’s public health crisis of…
Press

New National Survey of LGBTQ+ Young People Shows High Rates of Suicide Risk, Harmful Impacts of Anti-LGBTQ+ Politics and Bullying

Lower rates of attempting suicide reported by those who had access to affirming spaces and communities  May 1, 2024 — The Trevor Project, the leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ+ young people, released The 2024 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Young People, representing the experiences of more than 18,000 LGBTQ+ young people ages 13 to 24 across the United States. The survey’s findings underscore that LGBTQ+ young people continue to report high rates of mental health challenges, suicide risk, and associated experiences of anti-LGBTQ+ victimization such as bullying, discrimination, threats of physical violence,…
Blog

Expressions of Love in an Indirect Family Culture: An Asian American Perspective

Author's Note: My story is rooted in my experience as a Cantonese American cis queer male immigrant from Texas. Raised in a conservative, religious household, my narrative is but one perspective of the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. Our collective story is far from monolithic; it is as diverse and vibrant as the myriad cultures it encompasses. As we celebrate AAPI Heritage Month, I reflect on the unique ways love is expressed within my Asian American family. My journey as a queer Cantonese American has been shaped by the indirect ways my family shows affection — often without grand…
Smiling young female-presenting person sitting at a desk working on a computer.
Blog

Exploring Positive Youth Development In Online Spaces: 3 Key Insights To Create Thriving & Positive Outcomes For LGBTQ+ Young People

Written by: Tommy Marzella, Katherine Ross, Ph.D., and Diane Hsieh, Ph.D. For over a decade, The Trevor Project has operated TrevorSpace, an affirming, online community for LGBTQ+ young people between the ages of 13-24. TrevorSpace helps young people explore their identities, get peer advice, find peer support and joy, and make friends in a moderated community. TrevorSpace is designed for young people to start or enter conversations around their identity and interests, including topics like mental health, gender identity, sexual orientation, coming out, as well as entertainment, games, debate, and more. With fewer than 40% of LGBTQ young people finding…
Blog

Interview with Current Trevor Volunteer Lisa Sugarman

Lisa Sugarman (she/her) is an author & columnist, survivor of suicide, NAMI storyteller, grief group facilitator, mental health advocate, and Crisis Counselor with The Trevor Project based in Massachussets.  Where are you from and how long have you been a volunteer crisis counselor at The Trevor Project?  I’m from Marblehead, Massachusetts, a little harbor town just north of Boston and I’ve been a Lifeline counselor at The Trevor Project for nearly two years now.  Where are you when you volunteer? What time do you volunteer?  I volunteer from my home office in Salem, MA and I typically do the 9AM-12PM shift…
Partnerships

Introducing Our Corporate Ally Network: Championing LGBTQ+ Young People Together

At The Trevor Project, we believe that adult allies play a crucial role in supporting and uplifting LGBTQ+ young people. We are thrilled to announce the pilot launch of a new program at Trevor, our Corporate Ally Network, to encourage a deeper connection to our mission from our passionate Corporate Ally community. Joining us for the inaugural launch to help us build out our programming and impact of the network are some of our long standing partners across various industries, including CVS Health, PUMA, and United Airlines.   What is the Corporate Ally Network? The Corporate Ally Network brings together professionals…
Press

The Trevor Project’s Response to The Department of Education’s Title IX Final Rule

In response to the release of the U.S. Department of Education’s Final Rule under Title IX, The Trevor Project shared the following statement:Statement from Casey Pick (she/her), Director of Law and Policy at The Trevor Project: “The new rules issued today indicate an important step forward in protecting LGBTQ+ students from being discriminated against at school, simply for being themselves. The Trevor Project’s research found many LGBTQ+ students have reported a variety of negative experiences at school, including being verbally harassed, being disciplined for fighting back against bullies, and facing violence and mistreatment because of their sexual orientation or gender…
Tangerine Violet Gradient
Press

The Trevor Project Condemns Override of Veto on Anti-Trans Sports Ban by Kentucky Lawmakers

85% of transgender and nonbinary youth say that recent debates around anti-trans bills have negatively impacted their mental health. April 13, 2022 — The Trevor Project, the world’s largest suicide prevention and mental health organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) young people, condemned the override of a veto for SB 83 by the Kentucky Legislature, which would restrict transgender women and girls from playing on school sports teams that match their gender identity. With this override of the governor's veto, Kentucky now joins 14 other states banning trans students from participating in sports that align with…
Blog

#TransatTrevor Community Stories for Trans Day of Visibility

At The Trevor Project, we may be an all-remote workforce, but we understand the importance of building community. Our affinity groups allow for members of our teams with similar experiences and identities to share stories, find support, and forge solidarity. We asked some of the members of our #TransatTrevor channel what Trans Day of Visibility meant to them; we’re reminded that for Trevor staff, our mission is personal. Many of us are just LGBTQ+ young people who grew up and are here because we are trying to build the brighter future for the next generation that we ourselves dreamed of…
Community

The Importance of Safe Language On Social Media

As a suicide prevention organization for LGBTQ+ young people, The Trevor Project regularly sees unsafe language that many use on social media without consideration for others’ mental health. Whether targeting our organization, the LGBTQ+ young people we serve, or the judges, government officials, advocates, and supporters who work with us, there is an urgent need for social media platforms and their users to take action to protect the safety of our community. The Trevor Project is strongly aware of the negative impact that language can have on mental health; unsafe language and harassment is often directed at the LGBTQ+ youth…