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As for what I wrote in my last entry, though I hate that I can't seem to let it go, I haven't changed how I feel, especially when I read things like this (which showed up on writer Zoe Amos's Facebook feed a little bit ago):

The number of suicides among LGBT youth is higher than their straight demographic, approximately four times higher. Estimates by the Suicide Prevention Resource Center state between 30 to 40 percent of LGBT youth consider suicide. That number rises to over 40 percent for transgender youth. LGBT youth are more likely to be depressed, use illegal drugs and engage in risky behavior. As meaningful and tragic as these numbers are, accurate statistics are hard to come by as sexual orientation and gender identity may be hidden.

The accurate statistic I know is the life of a young person is gone and nothing will change that fact. A few weeks ago, I read about another young person elsewhere in the county who also committed suicide. Seeing these articles makes me feel sad for what could have been. To me, they are not just statistics. I did not know them, but I know their lives mattered.

This month marks the 35th anniversary of my sister’s suicide. I can tell you the questions surrounding her death linger to this day. It saddens me to know she was in so much pain that she took her life. To this day, I despair that she could not get to a place where she could have begun to thrive again, to be the happier person I like to remember, and when I see articles about other young people in similar situations, I feel sadness for them and their loved ones. Yes, it’s personal.

Beyond the sadness, there is hope; hope that other young people will listen to others who say “It gets better.” When you take your life, you remove all chances for that better life. You remove the chance to help others in a similar situation.

Help is available. The It Gets Better Project is a way you can help others and is a great resource if you need help. They recommend the Trans Lifeline, a transgender crisis hotline at (877) 565-8860. The Trevor Project specifically addresses LGBT youth concerns at (866)-4-U-TREVOR (866) 488-7386. You can also call the national Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-TALK (8255).


To the anti-gay crowd that would say, being gay itself is what makes you suicidal, I would say no. It's how the people close to you in your life so hatefully feel about gays and lesbians that makes you want to harm yourself. Trust me on this.

It's easy to say no one can make you feel or do something (generally I agree with that) but when loved ones explicitly place conditions on their love for you and one of those conditions is "not being gay" you can turn in on yourself, want to eliminate what causes both their suffering and yours.

This is especially hard for teens and my heart aches terribly for them. This is why I detest "ex-gay therapy." Suicide should never be an answer to any kind of suffering and yet there are many poor souls who feel it's the only way out. They need help and compassion, not hate and judgment. Most of all they need love, most of all from their friends and their family.

You can read more: here