We remember, and will never forget,
that gay and lesbian youth are at two to three times greater risk of suicide than heterosexual youth, and that transgender youth are at even higher risk for suicide because of the isolation, social cruelty, and lack of support they often face¹.

We remember, and will never forget, Tesia Samara 1988-2003. Tesia was a, sweet, insightful, poetic transgender girl who, with the incredible support of her mother, was courageously living her life as female in an environment that didn't make enough room for her to be herself. She faced so much harassment and isolation in school that she finally lost hope that she would find acceptance, and she took her own life in November. She is dearly missed.

We remember, and will never forget, the importance of creating safe spaces for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender youth to be themselves. We work to create safety in the Out Youth space and in the wider community, through education of students, teachers and administrators and the creation of anti-harassment policies in schools.

¹Source: Jean Baker, How Homophobia Hurts Children: Nurturing Diversity at Home, at School, and in the Community, Binghamton, NY: The Haworth Press, 2002