Posts Tagged "suicide"
A Message to Trans Teens: Suicide is Not the Answer
Too many trans teens are choosing suicide over life. They are doing this is a mistaken belief that their suicide will send a message. We don’t need more teens sending a message this way. There are plenty of us adults who get it, who know your pain. We are working to make your lives better. Please stick around to see our progress. We need you to be role models, not martyrs. If you are contemplating suicide, please seek help. Trevor Project Hotline: 866-488-7386 Trans Lifeline US: 877-565-8860 Canada: 877-330-6366
Read MoreBruce Jenner, Celebrity Praise, and What the Trans Community Needs Now
It’s been a week since the “interview the world is waiting for” has aired. Bruce Jenner announced to the world that he (current pronouns of choice) is a transgender woman. Twitter was on fire during the interview and a few hours later with dozens upon dozens of celebrities posting tweets in support of Jenner — from Lady Gaga to Sam Smith, Miley Cyrus to Jimmy Fallon and my personal favorite, Ricky Martin. There’s even a new trend now for people to paint their fingernails in a show of support. That’s nice, but… Celebrities, if I may be so bold in saying this, praising Bruce is a great but we need you to speak up for every trans person,...
Read MoreWhite House Responds to Petition to Ban Conversion Therapy for LGBT Youth
In December of 2014, Leelah Alcorn, a 17-year-old transgender woman in southern Ohio wrote a message that appeared online posthumously after her suicide. In the message she attributed a significant portion of her despair to attempts by her family and church to fix her gender identity using what is known as conversion or reparative therapy. She called for those reading to “Fix Society” so that others like her might have productive lives. At such a young age, she had already lost that hope. Leelah’s message touched hearts around the world. Trans-Parenting.com worked with several other organizations including the Transgender Human Rights Institute and Everything...
Read More2015 Time To Thrive Speech by Debi Jackson
I was asked to speak at this year’s Time to Thrive Conference, hosted by HRC in Portland, Oregon. Time to Thrive is an event focused on educating professionals who work with LGBT youth about their unique issues, struggles, and needs. I was introduced by another amazing PFLAG mom, Betty DeGeneres! My speech this year told more of our daughter’s story, a painful part of the journey that I don’t often talk about. I felt it was important, though, for people working with at-risk youth to really understand what those risks can be. And I also challenged parents to be more accepting of their LGBT kids and to really advocate for them. HRC has resources that can...
Read MoreIf I Was Leelah’s Mom
Leelah Alcorn is pretty much all I’ve been able to think about for the last few days. My family is all snug at home, enjoying time together during the holiday break and staying inside playing games to escape the bitter cold. But even surrounded by warmth and happiness, my husband and kids, I think about Leelah. I’ve wrestled with various emotions when thinking of her parents. Anger, possibly a little hatred, a lot of pity, and a tiny sliver of understanding. I wanted to give them the benefit of the doubt, to think that they loved Leelah deeply but were overwhelmed and confused, trying to understand but finding it to be a struggle. I didn’t want to...
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