Thursday, June 28, 2012

The scoop on the Trevor Project

ORGANIZATION: The Trevor Project          
HOURS:24/7
MAIN CONTACT:None (Just call the line to talk to someone awesome)
RATING: 5/5


The Trevor project has various programs dedicated to the improvement of the lives of LGBTQ youth and workshops to better educate and train those interested how to address topics like sexual orientation and gender identity, skills to prevent suicide in schools, as well as how language and behavior can impact LGBTQ youth. 

A major part of the project is the Trevor Lifeline which is the “only nationwide, around-the-clock suicide prevention and crisis intervention lifeline for LGBTQ youth. The Trevor Lifeline is a free and confidential service that offers hope and someone to talk to, 24/7. Volunteer Lifeline counselors staff three call centers” (Trevor Project Website). The number is 1-866-488-7386 (U.S. calls only). 

It is similar to Teen Link in the way that they have helpline and other online services, but the Trevor Project is directed specifically at helping LGBTQ youth. They also offer an online chat service called Trevorchat that runs form Mondays and Fridays between 1:00 PM Pacific (4:00 PM Eastern) and 9:00 PM Pacific (12:00 AM Eastern). In addition to that, they have “Ask Trevor” an online Q and A submission program, and Trevor Space which is a social networking site for LGBTQ youth ages 13-24 and their friends and allies to foster a safe online community at www.trevorspace.org.
   
The Trevor Project has a whole host of volunteer opportunities but unfortunately you must be at least 18 years old to apply. If you want more information about volunteering check out this link: http://www.thetrevorproject.org/volunteers/opportunities.

They have an awesome website with a ton of information http://www.thetrevorproject.org. They are a pretty large organization and since they are based in Hollywood, California they also have a large community of celebrities that support them and attend big Trevor Project events which is pretty cool. From their website you can really tell that if you’re calling, you certainly aren’t alone because they get tens of thousands of calls each year and have fielded 200,000+ lifeline calls since the beginning of the organization in 1998, and there are 23,000+ Trevor Space members. 

There’s also a big group of people working to make the Trevor Project as great as possible including 600+ Active volunteers and 200+ Lifeline counselors. They even have a page on their website devoted to letting people know about their staff: http://www.thetrevorproject.org/staff. This includes profiles on the members with information like who their favorite LGBTQ hero is, which truly makes their organization seem more real. 

The Trevor project seems like a really great organization that was definitely founded with the needs of LGBTQ youth in mind. They seem very professional, but at the same time, very real and down to earth.

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Love knows no gender, race, or color.



For the straight ally, navigating LGBTQ issues can sometimes feel like you're drowning in alphabet soup. That's okay.

You aren’t expected to completely understand every LGBTQ concern. Just like I can't be expected to know what it's like to be male, or be a person of color, or be adopted. What you and I can do is this:

Stop and think.
Listen and try to understand where LGBTQ teens are coming from.
 Be kind.

Stop and thinkabout what pronouns you use. Realize it's easy to make little assumptions when talking to others. If a new friend mentions she's dating someone, don't ask “What's his name?” Instead, ask “Who?” Otherwise, you assume that every girl likes boys. It seems like a harmless assumption, but it can be frustrating for LGBTQ teens. It can feel as if they’re expected to be straight. It can make them feel not normal for not being straight. You won't mean to exclude someone, but sneaky, presumptive pronouns can do that for you.

Listen and try to understand where LGBTQ teens are coming from... Understand that you have some privileges that LGBTQ teens don't have. You will be able to legally marry whomever you decide to marry. You won’t risk getting kicked out of your house for your sexuality. You won’t have to think about which public restroom to use. You won’t be twice as likely to be bullied at school. You can feel comfortable holding your significant other’s hand in public. You won’t risk losing your friends based on your sexuality. This is just a small portion of a very long list. LGBTQ teens face a lot of barriers that you won’t face. Keep that in mind and it will help you be more supportive. Seattle may seem like a gay-friendly city to you, but it’s hard to be LGBTQ anywhere.

Be Kind...LGBTQ teens do face exclusion and barriers, but you can support them. Be there for them like you would be for any friend. Be a listener. Stand up for them. When you hear someone say “That’s so gay,” you can tell them it’s not okay to make gay a synonym for stupid/annoying/bad. Above all, see the person behind the LGBTQ label. You don’t have “gay friends” and “lesbian friends” and “trans friends” and “straight friends;” you just have “friends.” 

 If you would like to learn more about how to support your friends or yourself. Teen Link is open every night from 6-10pm. Just in case you needed a reminder, Teen Link is a help line for teens and answered by teens. We are here to support you wherever you are at and however you are feeling. We are anonymous, confidential and Most importantly, non-judgmental. And, we are teenagers too… we get it. So, give us a call.
1866-TEENLINK (833-6546) or visit our chat service at http://www.866teenlink.org/

Thursday, June 21, 2012

RAINBOW SUMMER: Queer Youth Pride Events and MORE


In honor of Pride Month,  
Teen Link has found some really interesting sites and events for queer youth. We love that we live in a city where all youth are supported and have the chance to get involved in something they are passionate about!
Check out the links below and get your summer off to a colorful start.

Youth Pride Dance- Friday, June 22nd from 8pm to 11pm
Fun for everyone! Food! Drinks! Music!
Have fun the night before Pride! With Guest DJ Alex!
Ages 20 and under. Tickets are $5 Pre-ordered and $10 suggested donation at door. Buy your tickets at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/253313
Join the fun at the Yesler Community Center, 917 E Yesler Way, Seattle

Diverse Harmonyhttp://www.diverseharmony.org/ 
Diverse Harmony was founded in 2002 and is very unique in that it is a gay/straight alliance chorus. Diverse Harmony works to create safe and friendly environment through music and puts on performances regularly in Seattle


For those interested in filmmaking, Reel Queer Youth is a program that provides video production and media literacy training for queer youth between the ages of 13 – 20. To be a part of the program you have to apply by June 30th .

The Queer Teen Ensemble Theatre is a group of young actors supported by the Washington Ensemble Theatre who advocate for queer youth through their work on the stage. The QTET’s summer production, Beyond Boxes, is showing this weekend only, from June 21- June 25 at 7:30 pm at the Washington Ensemble Theatre, and on Saturday June 23rd youth under 25 can see the show FOR FREE


 Bend-It Extravaganza is an arts festival happening August 8 – 10 in Seattle and it is put on by queer youth. The festival is an amazing event that hopes to empower queer youth and their allies with workshops, spoken word, drag, public art, films, and music.
 

Out There Poetry Camp: www.outtherepoetrycamp.com
Saturday, June 30 - sign up deadline
Free!
Week long poetry and creative expression camp for Queer Youth and Allies ages 14 - 20.

Dates: July 9 - 13, 2012
Time: 10 am - 4 pm
Where: Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center
104 ~ 17th Avenue S, Seattle, WA 98144
What: Daily session on Queer Identity, Writing Exercise, Lunch with local Poets (like WA State Poet Laureate Kathleen Flenniken), and Creative Expression (lyrics, dance, you name it!). Lunch included.
Contact Randy at 206-883-6110 or randy.wiger@seattle.gov or Gray at outtherepoetrycamp@gmail.com



Capitol Hill Independence Day Community Picnic: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cal-Anderson-Park/111353102220933?ref=ts
Saturday, July 7 
Noon - 5 pm
Cal Anderson Park
1635 11th Avenue, Seattle, WA
(between E Denny Way and E Pine Street)

Free!
Community picnic, live music, and fun booths!


Born This Way Kafé:  Summer Beach Blanket BINGO & Barbeque Party: www.facebook.com/SeattleParksCOD or contact randy.wiger@seattle.gov, 206-883-6110
Friday, July 20, 6 - 8 pm
Cal Anderson Park Shelterhouse
on the north edge of the athletic field
1635 11th Avenue, Seattle, WA
(between E Denny Way and E Pine Street)

Free!
BINGO, bracelet making, badminton/volleyball start at 5:30 pm.
Food, hamburgers, hot dogs, veggie burgers and more start at 6 pm.

Born This Way Kafé: a welcoming place where GLBTQ youth + Friends + Allies up to age 21 can gather, be themselves, and have fun.


SYPP’s Summer Youth Organizing Institute: http://sypp.org or www.facebook.com/sypp206
Friday, July 27 - sign up deadline
Free!
The YO! is a youth leadership program/8-day social justice training camp for and by youth that takes place August 20-27, 2012.  A program of Seattle Young People's Project.
Contact:  info@sypp.org or 206.860.9606


Outdoor Movies at Cal Anderson Park: http://threedollarbillcinema.org/calendar/road-trip/ or www.facebook.com/ThreeDollarBillCinema
Fridays, July 27 - August 17
Movies start at dusk, about 8:30 pm
1635 11th Avenue, Seattle, WA (between E Denny Way and E Pine Street)

Free! 
Bring your own chair or blanket!
July 27 Pee Wee's Big Adventure
August 3 Viva Las Vegas (Elvis!)
August 10 The Wizard of Oz
August 17 The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

Contact: info@threedollarbillcinema.org or 206-323-4274



Have you ever wanted to go to gay camp? Well here is your chance! Camp Ten Trees has yearly summer camp sessions -- one week for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth and their allies (Aug. 19-25)and another week for the children of LGBTQ and/or non-traditional families (Aug. 12-18). Camp Ten Trees is a place for diverse youth who share common experiences to come together and form a community that is truly their own.  In addition to typical camp activities, campers engage in age-appropriate workshops exploring identity,  diversity, homophobia, youth coalition building, and more.


1818 ~ 15th Avenue, Seattle, WA  98122
Drop in Monday through Friday anytime from 4 to 9:30 and meet other amazing queer and allied youth. They have different activities going on every night of the week. Queer movie night on Fridays is my personal favorite.
They also have a great list of queer resources on their website 
www.facebook.com/LambertHouse
activities@lamberthouse.org
206-322-2515

Special thanks to Lambert House for helping to collect this list of amazing fun events for youth!

 Teen Link is open every night from 6-10pm. We are here to support you wherever you are at and however you are feeling. We are anonymous, confidential and Most importantly, non-judgmental. And, we are teenagers too… we get it. So, give us a call.
1866-TEENLINK (833-6546) or visit our chat service at http://www.866teenlink.org/
HAPPY PRIDE!

Friday, June 1, 2012

Self-Struggle



In life, there will always be things that are stressful for every person at one point or another. In my life, I am a huge perfectionist and judge myself when any little thing goes wrong or I have a problem. I set unattainable goals and standards for myself, and when I don't meet these, I feel like such a failure. I know that some other teens can relate to this sense of pressure to succeed and to meet our own, as well as, others expectations. If you are one of those people and are often hard on yourself for not being a certain way, keep reading.
In my experience, perfectionists aren’t necessarily concerned with being perfect in every aspect of their life. Sometimes it is that they feel pressured by themselves to do one or two things really well, or strive to be better in some way. Some of these self- inflicted pressures could be getting good grades and being smart, fitting in with your gender stereotype, body image/wishing you looked differently, class status, and the list goes on and on. But for me, many of those attributes apply. I wish I was skinnier, more athletic, a better friend, smarter, a better girlfriend, and just overall a person who people look up to. However, last night I had an experience that changed all of my views on myself. It was my 16th Birthday, and two of my friends put together a video of interviews of all my friends saying why they cared about me as a person. Many of them mentioned that I was smart, funny, so sweet, genuine, gorgeous, and an amazing friend. While I sat there watching this video, I felt so blessed to have people who thought so highly of me. I wondered now, why is it that I am so hard on myself? I realized that the pressure I put on myself to be better didn’t need to be there because all of my friends loved me just for who I am. I know many of you may be reading this and thinking, well my friends don’t love me as much as that, but I would like you to know that I never had any idea how much any of my friends admired me before this.
So I want to challenge you today to reflect on all the many ways you are hard on yourself, and try to take a different angle on those perspectives. What would your friends say about you? Would they allow you to be this hard on yourself if they knew? Would you ever be as mean or judgmental to another person, to a friend, or to a family member, as you are to yourself? Take a second today to be nice to yourself. To treat yourself with the love and respect that you show to other people in your life. I don't mean this to be cheesy, but seriously, show yourself some love, give yourself time to break, and allow yourself to just be who you are. 
~Anonymous