Mayor, Vice Mayor, Commissioners, I rise today to address the continuing tragic loss of our Lesbian, Gay, Bi Sexual, Transgendered and Questioning youth by suicide.
More than 1/3 of our LGBTQ youth attempts the final act of suicide and are more than four times as likely to make that attempt. Suicide is the third leading cause of death amongst 15 to 24 year olds.
The seven nationally identified youth suicides were the direct result of bullying. Nine out of 10 LGBT students experienced harassment at school; three-fifths felt unsafe at school because of their sexual orientation; and about one-third skipped a day of school in the past month because of feeling unsafe. With the advent of the internet and social media sites, the act of bullying has become easier. A prime example is Chris Armstrong, the President of the University of Michigan Student Government. Chris has been the cyber target of Michigan Assistant attorney general Andrew Shirvell. Mr. Shirvell, while trusted to protect the citizens of Michigan, has created a web site to harass and bully Mr. Armstrong purely for the fact the Chris Armstrong is Gay. This exact kind of harassment and bullying occurs against our LGBTQ youth everyday.
This type of terrorism directed at anyone must be stopped. Parents, Teachers and school administrators must take immediate and effective actions against the bully.
Our LGBTQ youth need to know that there are many resources, caring adults and safe havens from these bullies. Locally we have SUNSERVE, an arm of the Sunshine Community Foundation. Sunserve is the primary sponsor of the Broward LGBTQ Youth Group. This group meets on Tuesdays at the Sunshine Cathedral from 7 – 9 pm This is a “drop in” group so teens do not need to register in advance. There is no cost to join this group.
A second and Nationally known resource for LGBTQ youth that are contemplating suicide is The Trevor Project. The Trevor Project is the leading national organization focused on crisis and suicide prevention efforts among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth. Every day, The Trevor Project saves young lives through its free and confidential helpline, in-school workshops, educational materials, online resources and advocacy. The organization was founded in 1998 by three filmmakers whose film, Trevor, a comedy/drama about a gay teenager who attempts suicide, received the 1994 Academy Award® for Best Short Film.
A third, and certainly not the last resources is called Project Life Vest. Their mission is simple: "To be a helping hand, a life vest, to as many LGBTQ teens and adults as possible. We will carry out this mission through the establishment of safe places in as many cities as possible; through opening a call center with a qualified and well-educated and experienced team of counselors who can give advice and guidance where needed; through finding qualified and screened families who can, if the need arises, host rejected teens while they finish schooling or find a new place."
I am asking that links to these resources be placed on the City of Fort Lauderdale Website. Let this city send a message to our LGBTQ youth that Fort Lauderdale cares about you. Suicide is NOT an option it is certain and final.
Thank you.
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