Being Gay Should NOT = Being Suicidal

 

Let me just hit you with some statistics real quick:

• LGBT* Youth are 4 times more likely than their straight and cisgender peers, to attempt suicide.
• Nearly half of young transgender people have seriously considered committing suicide.
• LGBT* youth who have been rejected by their families are over 8 times more likely to attempt suicide than those LGBT youth who have accepting families.

Now what do those statistics tell you? Do you believe them? Because I can tell you, that almost all of my friends who are part of the LGBT* community, have harmed themselves or considered killing themselves, myself included (Not to scare anyone. I'm in a much better place now and doing better everyday). However, I cannot say that I have seen this same thing in my straight and cisgender friends. While it is a problem outside of the LGBT* community, it's even more likely to have within it.

There are constantly stories about LGBT* people committing suicide. Don't believe me? Click on this link: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/gay-teen-suicides/
The Huffington Post has an entire section, dedicated to LGBT* suicides. See the problem?

While these stories are constantly being told, nothing is being done to prevent them. As a nation, we have really improved the way we think of LGBT* people, but it is not enough. If you are someone you know is in this position, I highly encourage you to talk to someone. Get help. Because from personal experience, I know that if I hadn't, I might not still be here today.