The Trevor Project is an American
nonprofit organization founded in 1998. Focused on
suicideprevention efforts among
lesbian,
gay,
bisexual,
transgender,
queer, and
questioning (
LGBTQ) youth, they offer a
toll-free telephone number where confidential assistance is provided by trained counselors. The stated goals of the project are to provide crisis intervention and suicide prevention services for youth (defined by the organization as people under 25), as well as to offer guidance and resources to parents and educators in order to foster safe, accepting, and inclusive environments for all youth, at home, schools and colleges.[5][6]
History
The project was founded in 1998[1] in
West Hollywood,
California, by
Celeste Lecesne,
Peggy Rajski, and
Randy Stone. They are the creators of the 1994
Academy Award–winning
short filmTrevor, a
dramedy about Trevor, a gay thirteen-year-old boy who, when rejected by friends because of his sexuality, attempts
suicide. When the film was scheduled to air on
HBO television in 1998, the filmmakers realized that some of the program's young viewers might be facing the same kind of crisis as Trevor and began to search for a support line to be broadcast during the airing. They discovered that no such helpline existed and decided to dedicate themselves to forming the resource: an organization to promote acceptance of LGBTQ youth, and to aid in crisis and suicide prevention among that group.[7]
The Trevor Lifeline was established with seed funds provided by The Colin Higgins Foundation and HBO's license fee. As a result, it became the first nationwide, around-the-clock crisis and suicide prevention helpline for LGBTQ youth.[8] The project also provides online support to young people through the project's website, as well as guidance and resources to educators and parents.
In November 2009, the project was contracted by the Tulare County Suicide Prevention Task Force, located in
Tulare County, California.[9] With this agreement, the project received public funds for the first time. In June 2009, seven Tulare County volunteers completed The Trevor Project Lifeguard Workshop Facilitator training. “Lifeguard workshops” have been done in schools in Tulare County municipalities, including
Dinuba,
Lindsay,
Porterville and
Visalia, as well as in
Hanford in adjacent
Kings County.
From 2016 to 2022 the CEO of The Trevor Project was
Amit Paley. During this period the Trevor Project grew its revenue from $5M to over $60M which included a financial reserve of $50M.[4] In 2019, for the first time in the organization's history TrevorText went from limited operating hours to a 24/7 text and chat counseling services.[28] In October 2022 The Trevor Project launched free digital services in Mexico.[29]
In November 2022, The Trevor Project's Board of Directors announced that
Amit Paley had been removed effective immediately. The organization's Board of Directors announced that co-founder,
Peggy Rajski, would be the interim CEO.[30] Following this news, media outlets also reported that over 200 employees had signed a letter expressing their displeasure with former CEO,
Amit Paley, and numerous employees had expressed concerns over the organization's growth and his ability to manage effectively.
Research
The Trevor Project also undertakes mental health research focusing on LGBTQ youth. According to the project's strategic plan, "The Trevor Project will expand the scale of its flagship national survey while continuing to grow visibility and general public consumption of its research; and to incorporate new studies, scientific advances, and research protocols to build on its thought leadership and the impact of its programs."[31] As of 2022, research found that 14% of LGBTQ youth reported a past-year suicide attempt, with LGBTQ youth of color and transgender and nonbinary reporting higher rates illustrating the importance of examining findings intersectionally."[32][33]
The Trevor Lifeline is a nationwide, around-the-clock crisis and suicide prevention helpline for LGBTQ youth in the United States. The lifeline is a free and confidential service from counselors trained to listen without judgement and can refer callers to supportive local organizations and groups. The number for the line in the United States is 1-866-488-7386.[34]
TrevorText
TrevorText is a confidential text messaging service provided by The Trevor Project, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week[35] by texting "START" to 678-678.[36]
TrevorChat
TrevorChat is a free, confidential, live and secure online messaging service provided by The Trevor Project, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.[35]
TrevorSpace
TrevorSpace is an online social networking community for LGBTQ+ youth ages 13 through 24, along with their friends and allies. Youth can create personal profiles, which are verified by the administrators before they are allowed to interact with other profiles, and connect with other young people internationally, as well as find resources within their communities.[37] TrevorSpace is commonly used to receive or give advice and make friends who have shared similar experiences as the user. TrevorSpace is carefully monitored by administrators designated by the project to ensure all content is age-appropriate, youth-friendly and factual. Members over the age of 18 cannot privately message members under the age of 18. TrevorSpace links members to The Trevor Project's home page, where information about The Trevor Lifeline, "Dear Trevor," and other resources are available. The software used to create TrevorSpace was donated to the project by
Tim Gill,[38] an American software entrepreneur and
philanthropist.
Palette Fund Internship Program
Through the Palette Fund Internship Program, the project provides for five internships in both its
Los Angeles and
New York City offices. Interns are placed among the program, communication, and development departments. The program provides an opportunity for young people to learn about working in the non-profit sector. Palette Fund internships are specifically designed to introduce young leaders to the LGBTQ movement.[39]
Youth Advisory Council
The Youth Advisory Council serves as a liaison between youth nationwide and the project on issues surrounding suicide, sexuality and gender identity. The council submits recommendations to the project in an effort to increase project visibility and best serve the LGBTQ youth population.[40]
School workshops
The project's Lifeguard Workshop Program uses a structured, age-appropriate curriculum to address topics around sexuality, gender identity, the impacts of language and behavior, and what it means for young people to feel different. The program also teaches young people to recognize depression and suicide amongst their peers, the impacts of language and behavior on LGBTQ youth, and suicide prevention skills in schools.[41]
Fundraisers and annual awards ceremonies
Tyler Oakley's fundraiser
On February 10, 2014,
YouTube personality
Tyler Oakley started a fundraiser to collect $150,000 for the Trevor Project. Oakley set the deadline for the money to be collected by the time of his birthday, March 22, but the goal was reached earlier than expected.[42] Oakley later extended the fundraiser and more than $462,000 had been raised on March 29. On March 31, the fundraiser ended, with a total of $525,754 raised.[42]
Annual Award Ceremony Fundraisers
The Trevor Project uses annual events to honor individuals and businesses that have been leaders in supporting
LGBT rights and advocated against bullying and hate crimes. In 1998, it held the first Cracked Xmas fundraiser in Los Angeles, changing its name to TrevorLIVE Los Angeles in 2010. In 2001, a New York City-based annual event was added, using entertainers to raise financial resources for the organization.[43] This NYC-based event has had three names, beginning as "A Very Funny Whatever", changing to TrevorNY in 2007 and then to TrevorLIVE New York in 2011. In the 2018 financial year (August 2017–July 2018), these events raised over $3,030,000.[44]
The Trevor Hope Award is presented to businesses that have demonstrated support for the
LGBTQ community and "has increased the visibility and understanding of LGBT issues."[52] It was first presented in 2004.[71]
The Trevor Champions Award is presented to individuals in recognition of their "continued allyship and commitment to supporting The Trevor Project's mission to end suicide among LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Questioning) young people".[72]
In April 2023, Trevor Project staffers formed Friends of Trevor United, a union affiliated with
CWA. In July, during
collective bargaining, management terminated 12% of bargaining unit employees, about one-third of whom were union leaders.[73] Friends of Trevor responded by filing an
Unfair Labor Practice complaint, alleging targeted retaliation.[74]
^Myers, J., ed. (2013). Historical dictionaries of religions, philosophies, and movements: Historical dictionary of the lesbian and gay liberation movements. Rowman & Littlefield.
^Staff (October 13, 1998).
"Trevor Lends a 24-Hour Ear to Youth". p. 14.
Archived from the original on October 3, 2022. Retrieved August 1, 2011. ...the nation's first toll-free 24-hour suicide prevention hot line for gay and questioning youth.
^"Homepage". Tulare County Suicide Prevention Task Force.
Archived from the original on January 1, 2011. Retrieved September 14, 2021.
^Barnard, Linda (November 19, 2010). "Happy as Harry; A Grown-up Daniel Radcliffe Talks Bras, Girlfriends, Fame and New Opportunities as He Reflects on a Decade Playing the Boy Wizard". Toronto Star. p. E.1.
^Archambeau, Kathleen (June 14, 2012).
"Inspiring LGBTQ Profiles". San Francisco Bay Times. Archived from
the original on February 2, 2013. Retrieved June 17, 2012.