The Monthly Roll - Tampa Bay November 2013 - v1i1 | Page 3
Adolescent Development Services TIP!! - Linkedin Research
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If you ever find yourself researching new programs or innovative strategies that can give your
current program a boost and you don’t know where to go, consider Linkedin. Type into the search
box whatever key word your searching and it will pull up current conversations and groups that
are discussing that very topic. You can even join the conversation or join the group and have
emails sent to you whenever anyone responds to the conversation. This is a great way to keep
your finger on the pulse of that particular topic
LGBTQ Youth Still Feel Sting of Discrimination
By: Mark Puskarich
As someone who counsels LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning) youth and also mentors
other counselors that do the same work, I have the unique opportunity to know firsthand what some young
people are experiencing growing up. While recently, we have made extraordinary strides in ending some
discriminatory practices in our country, there are still young LGBTQ people struggling in their homes and at
school. What do they struggle with, you ask? Good question. Before I go there, let me give you some
background first.
I am a volunteer TrevorChat counselor with The Trevor Project, an organization that provides suicide
prevention and crisis intervention services to LGBTQ youth ages 13-24. Through various life-saving services,
such as the Trevor Lifeline, TrevorChat, and TrevorSpace (among others), young people can connect with a
trained counselor whose purpose is to listen, talk about options, offer resources, and (if needs be) help
provide rescue services. The service TrevorChat is an instant message-style system that allows young people
to log in and chat about what’s happening in their lives.
So now back to your question. What exactly are young LGBTQ folks struggling with? When visitors come to
TrevorChat their situations vary, but some common conversations include:
•Bullying: Being bullied at school because they’re gay or different from others in their school
•Coming Out: Fear of coming out because of the unknown reactions from their friends and family
•Sexuality: They’re questioning their sexuality and want to talk with someone about whether that’s
normal
•Gender Issues: Maybe the visitor was born a female, but is more comfortable living as a male
•Self-Harm: Engaging in self-harming situations (liking cutting themselves) to provide relief from the
emotional pain they feel
Handling these conversations reminds me that we have miles to go to help young LGBTQ people know they
are loved, respected, and just as valuable as everyone else. These (sometimes heartbreaking) conversations
also remind me how prevalent discrimination still is in our communities throughout the country. As we get
older and move in circles with like-minded people, we may forget that. I’m here to ask you to please not
forget that. Please don’t forget that we need education to end discrimination on all levels, not just for our
LGBTQ youth, but for all ??V?rV??R??????rf?"66WF?6R?B??fR?B??F?Rv??BF???w2F?W??VVBF??&V6??RF?R????rGV?G2F?W????fRF?R?FV?F???b&V6???r????v?&?B??N( ?2??B??f?"??V?rW'6??F?&RW6?VB?B?fR??2?VB??F???WB?&R66&VBF?B6?^( ???&P?6V?Bv??"F?6?v?VB'?f???W7Bf?"&V??r?W'6V?b??"F????F?B6V?b?&??2F?R&W7B?F???F?fVV??&WGFW"?V?f?'GV?FV??F?W6RF???w2&R?V???r?????rF?W?&R??W"??V?rf??2&RFV???r?RF?W?&R??F?RG&Wf?"&??V7Bv?fW2?t%E??WF?7W?'B??VFv?V?B?g&VR???RF?F???B&W6?W&6W2F??V?F?V?vW@?F?&?Vv?F?Vv?F??W2??b??RvB??RF??V&???&R&?WB&W6?W&6W2f?"?t%E??WF??BF?RF?RG&Wf?"&??V7B???V6Rf?6?BF?UG&Wf?%&??V7B??&r?