Young people today are growing up in a world where a third of nations still classify LGBTQ+ people as criminals and where both anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and persecution is worryingly on the rise.
The impact of this stigma and discrimination on the mental health of young LGBTQ+ lives is deeply alarming; a recent report (2024 US National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Young People) showed that in the United States a staggering 39% of LGBTQ+ young people seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year. Additionally, nearly half (49%) of LGBTQ+ young people ages 13-17 experienced bullying in the past year, and those who did reported significantly higher rates of attempting suicide in the past year than those who did not experience bullying.
To address this, we are greatly accelerating our efforts and increasing investment in the LGBTQ+ community — including LGBTQ+ young people — so people can live without fear and access the healthcare and support they deserve.
One of the many new organisations we are supporting is The Trevor Project, who are dedicated to tackling the unique mental health challenges faced by LGBTQ+ young people. This partnership represents more than just a project – it’s a lifeline to LGBTQ+ young people in need of support.
With the funding we’re providing, The Trevor Project is hoping to provide 125,000 individuals with life-saving support through their crisis intervention services and peer support programming. Our support will also cover the costs for a dedicated community moderator who will also ensure that The Trevor Project’s digital platform, TrevorSpace, remains a sanctuary and safe space for every user.
Trevor Space – An Online Community for LGBTQ+ Youth
In a world where LGBTQ+ young people often face hostility and discrimination, TrevorSpace is a beacon of hope and an affirming online social community for queer young people aged 13-24 years old. With over 650,000 members across more than 120 countries, TrevorSpace offers a unique environment where LGBTQ+ youth can safely connect with peers who truly understand their experiences and access compassionate mental health support.
How Trevor Space Supports LGBTQ+ Youth
Tommy Marzella, Vice President of Social Platform Development and Safety at The Trevor Project, oversees the continuous evolution of TrevorSpace to meet the ever-changing needs of LGBTQ+ youth. I have a deep passion for technology and the good that it can do in the world, as well as LGBTQ+ causes,” Tommy says. “I get to advocate for LGBTQ+ young people, and that means a lot to me.”
Reflecting on his own journey, Tommy shares, “Growing up and transitioning from middle school to high school was about finding my identity and who I am. As I was coming to terms with my identity as a gay man, having a resource like TrevorSpace would have been invaluable. When you’re coming out, you don’t always know who around you identifies as LGBTQ+. But with an online community dedicated to that, you can just log on and find people like you.”
TrevorSpace offers more than just support and information resources. It allows young people to create clubs based on their hobbies or interests, fostering deeper connections. “Having that community increases the likelihood of a young person leading a thriving, happy, successful life,” Tommy says. “A huge part of community is the peer friendships that young people are forming. TrevorSpace is designed to help people find those friendships.”
Unlike many other platforms where toxicity, harassment, and bullying are common, TrevorSpace sets itself apart by focusing exclusively on LGBTQ+ youth and ensuring their safety through:
- An in-house moderation team with a comprehensive understanding of issues related to LGBTQ+ young people.
- Rigorous trust and safety policies that address every type of online harm quickly and effectively.
The Elton John AIDS Foundation has been able to help us drive impact across all of our programs. As it pertains to TrevorSpace, we have one moderator role that is fully funded by them, and that’s able to help keep TrevorSpace safe. – Tommy
How You Can Help Us Help More LGBTQ+ Young People
Far too many young people are not receiving the support they need, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community. Together, through impactful partnerships like this, we can build a world where every young person feels safe, accepted, and loved.
“At the Elton John AIDS Foundation, we have a long history of supporting the LGBTQ+ community, and we’ve made it our mission from the start to uplift their rights, health, and well-being around the world,” said Lindsay Hayden, Young People Portfolio Lead at the Elton John AIDS Foundation. “We’re incredibly proud to be supporting the work of The Trevor Project and helping to make sure that vulnerable and marginalized young people have access to the mental health support they need.”
Learn more about The Trevor Project’s mission to save the lives of LGBTQ+ young people.
