Or someone has to give. This is why I’m writing to you. Will you give? You can save lives and help to reduce harm to LGBTQ youth in schools by sending a donation to Out Youth right now.

The Austin-Round Rock area, which comprises the heart of Out Youth’s direct service population in Central Texas, is home to an estimated 110,000 youth 12 to 19 years old. As many as 11,000 of these middle and high school students and college freshmen are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender youth, and many thousands more are uncertain of and/or questioning their gender identity. According to considerable recent research, rates of homelessness, suicide, mental illness, substance use and abuse, familial estrangement, criminal victimization and other adverse health and social outcomes are significantly elevated in LGBTQ youth.

Out Youth remains the only continuing source of social, emotional and mental health support for a growing number of LGBTQ youth in crisis in Central Texas. Demand for Out Youth’s services is on the rise, even as we face our own fiscal crisis as a result of the declined economy.

• $500 a month contributions will help to cover the costs of providing Out Youth programs and general operations for 2010
• $250 a month will help to sustain counseling and support services to youth at the drop-in center and in schools
• $5-$20 or more a month combined with the contributions of others will help to sustain Out Youth program activities, outreach, community education and safe-school efforts

Will you give? By sending a donation and pledging your monthly support right now, you will invest in the lives, safety, and promise of our LGBTQ youth and allies. It will only take a minute, and it will help forever.

To make your tax-deductible donation, click here, or you can mail your donations to Out Youth, 909 E. 49th ½ Street, Austin, Texas 78751. Please accept our heartfelt gratitude for your help at this time.