By STEPHANIE SANTIAGO
Identity
Support and other resources for young, gay people are out there; sometimes right around the corner or just a phone call away, but there are advocates for teens that were believed to have been victims of anti-gay bullying to the point and need for even more extensive help. GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network, strive to assure that each member of every school community is valued and respected regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. “Youth in general are not very help-seeking,” said the organization’s executive director, Eliza Byard. “Getting people to reach out is one of the big challenges.”
Another nonprofit organization that is focused on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth is the Trevor Project that operates a free, confidential hotline (866 4-U-Trevor) for counseling and suicide prevention around the clock. “The hotline, among many crisis lines available, takes an average of about 30,000 calls a year”, said a Trevor spokeswoman. Unfortunately, issues such as anti-gay bullying are found across the nation, around the globe, and across our nation. There comes a time in everyone’s lives that they might feel they need somewhere safe to go, someone knowledgeable to talk to. There are many places and phone lines dedicated to the support and help of members of the LGBTQIA community. Below is a list of places located within the Capital Region:
– Damien Center (www.albanydamiencenter.org) The Albany Damien Center is a community center for individuals and families living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. Programs and activities offered are designed to improve health, reduce stress, and increase quality of life.
-Pride Center of the Capital Region (www.capitalpridecenter.org) Their mission is to promote the well-being of all gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer identified people and those affected by discrimination based on gender identity and expression.
– Amplify Your Voice- Phone: (202) 419- 3420
– National Suicide Prevention Lifeline- Phone: 1 (800) 273- 8255
– Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, or PFLAG (www.pflag.org) is a national support, education and advocacy organization with local affiliates in more than 500 communities around the country and abroad. Support group meetings are available through PFLAG chapters for loved ones or whole communities.
– (www.lgbtcenters.org/Centers/find-a-center.aspx) This database contains information about member LGBT Community Centers and member Affiliates in the United States and around the world.
– (www.glnh.org) The GLBT National Help Center provides free and confidential telephone and internet peer-counseling, information and local resources.
