Steven LaChance Blog

In these uncertain times, it’s crucial we let scared youth know they have someone to turn to. Simple words can be powerful: ‘You’re safe with me. You can talk freely with me.’ Many young people are frightened by what they’re seeing and hearing. As a gay man who grew up during the Moral Majority era, I remember the daily barrage of hatred on the nightly news. It’s eerily familiar to what our youth are facing today.

LGBTQ+ youth are already reaching out to suicide hotlines in alarming numbers. We know where this trajectory leads. We can’t go back into hiding; our youth need our visibility, guidance, and compassion. Our history, normalcy, and lived experiences will be vital in helping them navigate this.

We must be more out than ever before, constantly reassuring those feeling alone that they’re not alone. You are there for them. Everyone deserves a judgment-free space to feel valued, understood, and safe.

Let’s draw on our resilience and be beacons of hope. Share your story, offer a listening ear, and remind LGBTQ+ youth of their worth.

Besides being a safe place there are many avenues of help and support for out there that are only a phone call away.

• The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386 or text “TREVOR” to 1-202-304-1200
• GLBT National Hotline: 1-888-843-4564
• Local LGBTQ+ support groups and organizations

You are not alone. You are loved. You are valued. Make sure we keep saying these words over and over to be seen and to be heard. They are paying attention in silence. They are fearfully watching and listening. We know this because we were once just like them.