InHouse Pharmacy
Fast, easy online or free-phone mail order for: hormones, weight loss, hair loss, and skin care medications.

Confidentiality assured

Charles Robbins

We normally call this feature, "The Trannyweb Celebrity Interview" and in the past we have interviewed the likes of Angie Bowie, Ru Paul and Richard O'Brien, to namedrop a few. However, this month's interviewee is not a celebrity but he is in charge of a very important organization which we need to talk about. Primarily aimed at the young LGBT community, The Trevor Project offers the only 24 hour suicide prevention helpline available across the whole of the US.

Charles Robbins is the Executive Director...

Katie: Firstly, tell us a bit about yourself.

Charles: I am the executive director of The Trevor Project, a non-profit endeavor established to promote acceptance for gay and questioning youth and to aid in crisis and suicide prevention among that group. I live in Los Angeles, and The Trevor Project’s administrative offices are located in West Hollywood. My background is in non-profit management and I have experience founding organizations, fundraising, working in development, and leading volunteers. I joined The Trevor Project in February 2007.

Katie: What is The Trevor Project all about and how did it get started?

Charles: The Trevor Project is a non-profit organization that operates the only nationwide, around-the-clock crisis and suicide prevention helpline for LGBT and questioning youth. In addition to the helpline, we have a Web site that contains information on identifying and assisting potentially suicidal youth and provides resources for gay and questioning youth, as well as their families, educators, and friends. The Trevor Project also hosts “Dear Trevor,” a confidential resource where youth can ask questions about sexual orientation and identity issues.

The Trevor Project was founded by James Lecesne, Peggy Rajski, and Randy Stone, creators of the short film, Trevor, which won the 1994 Academy Award® for Best Short Film. The film is about a gay teenager who, when rejected by friends at school because of his sexuality, makes an attempt to take his own life. When Trevor was scheduled to air on HBO® in 1998, the filmmakers realized that some of the program’s teen viewers might be facing the same kind of crisis as Trevor, and began to search for a support line to broadcast during the airing of the film. They discovered that no such helpline existed, and decided to form the much-needed resource themselves. Thus, The Trevor Project was born.

Katie: At Trannyweb we are appalled by the huge numbers of transgender people who commit suicide.  Statistics vary depending on who you talk to but most agree that around 30% of TG people commit suicide and as many as 50% will have attempted it by their 20th birthday.  Do you have different statistics to us and if so, what are they?

Charles: These statistics are disheartening and are further testimony as to why resources need to be in place for LGBTQ youth. We know that suicide is one of the top three killers of all young people, and LGBT and questioning youth are four times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers. In addition, LGBT youth who come from a rejecting family are nine times more likely to attempt suicide. That’s why it’s important that resources such as The Trevor Helpline exist.

Katie: Why do you think it is it that the suicide rate among TG people is so very much higher than that within the general population?

Charles: The unfortunate truth is that we live in a culture where the LGBTQ community is not fully accepted. People may not understand how life-shattering their actions and words toward LGBTQ people can be. Many of the calls we receive on the helpline are from youth in more isolated or rural areas of the country where local resources are non-existent and they have no support network to turn to. When someone feels ‘different’ and doesn’t think there is anywhere to turn for support, it is very possible for feelings of helplessness and hopelessness to surface. At The Trevor Project, we are very committed to expanding our visibility and reach, so that LGBT and questioning youth throughout the country are aware of our helpline and these statistics don’t become even higher than they already are.

Katie: Do you know if anything is being done at a governmental or health department level to reverse this trend or are TG suicides simply being ignored?

A helpline counselor at work in The Trevor Project's New York City call center

Charles: Resources such as The Trevor Project do exist; however, we are not associated with the government or any health department. Unfortunately, not everyone is aware of the statistics we know prove LGBTQ people are at higher risk for suicide than the general population.

Katie: What can we do to turn this situation around?  Should our American readers be writing to their congressman and the White House?

Charles: We can all do our part to help improve the lives of LGBT and questioning young people. We can treat them like the valuable, worthy individuals that they are and create accepting and safe environments for them at home, in schools, and in our communities. We can also be sure they know about resources such as our helpline so that they understand there is always somewhere to turn if they need help or want to talk to someone.

Katie: What kind of help can the Trevor Helpline give to TG people who may be having suicidal thoughts?

Charles: The Trevor Helpline is a free and confidential service that offers hope and someone to talk to, 24/7. Our trained counselors listen and understand without judgment, and can point youth to supportive organizations and groups near them.

Katie: The Trevor Helpline can only be accessed from within the United States.  Are there any other organizations that you know of who run similar services in other parts of the world?

Charles: Although our helpline cannot accommodate international calls, anyone can write a letter to “Dear Trevor” through our Web site, TheTrevorHelpline.org. Letters remain anonymous and any question about sexual orientation or identity issues can be asked.

Katie: What practical advice do you have for anyone reading this now, who has thought about suicide?

Charles: I would encourage that person to call our helpline and talk to one of counselors. I would want that person to know that there is help and hope, and that we can connect them with the resources they need. Life is valuable, and you are worth making that phone call.

You can contact The Trevor Project Helpline within the United States on 866-4-U-TREVOR, and access their web site at:

TheTrevorProject.org

Previous issues of The Tranny Tribune are available in our archive here

The Tranny Tribune is produced monthly for transvestites, transsexuals, crossdressers and transgendered people everywhere and is the official newsletter of the Trannyweb community.