Dear Friend,

The Trevor Project’s mission is to save LGBTQ young lives and provide them support in all moments of crisis — including anxiety, worries, and uncertainty about this growing global pandemic.

A public health crisis like the coronavirus can cause uncertainty and stress for people of all ages and identities. For LGBTQ young people who are already at greater risk of anxiety, depression, and negative health outcomes, the coronavirus can exacerbate the challenges they already face. The social distancing and isolation necessary to stop the spread of the virus can also increase the feelings of loneliness and need for support that so many LGBTQ youth experience.

At times like this it is more important than ever to ensure The Trevor Project’s life-saving services are available 24/7.

That’s why our team worked around the clock over the past few weeks to ensure that all our programs — especially our phone, text, and chat crisis services — could continue providing services uninterrupted. Last week, after 22 years of our phone Lifeline operating from physical call centers, Lifeline counselors began taking calls from their homes for the first time ever. This shift required significant investment and innovation from across the organization, especially our technology, crisis services, and operations teams. All our physical offices are now closed to protect the health and safety of our staff as well as to protect the broader public by preventing the spread of the coronavirus. Our life-saving programs have nonetheless continued to operate uninterrupted.

Many of the LGBTQ youth reaching out to us are experiencing uncertainty or anxiety. Some are worried about their health or that of their loved ones. Some are afraid of being at home for weeks on end with families that don’t accept them. And others are stressed about what it will mean to be isolated without access to in-person sources of LGBTQ-affirming support.

We want to encourage you to check in with the LGBTQ youth in your lives. If you sense they’re looking for social interaction, please tell them about TrevorSpace, our safe space social networking site for LGBTQ youth. And if they feel hopeless, alone, or have thoughts of suicide, please have them call the TrevorLifeline 24/7 at 1-866-488-7386. They can also connect with trained counselors every day 24/7 by texting 678-678 or via chat at TheTrevorProject.org/Help.

Thank you for continuing to support us as we connect with LGBTQ youth in this challenging time. And a huge thank you to our staff and volunteers, who work tirelessly to ensure our programs remain available 24/7 for the LGBTQ young people who need us. I’m incredibly inspired by our community’s commitment to the youth we serve and I am so grateful for your ongoing support to save young LGBTQ lives.

Amit Paley
he/him
CEO & Executive Director