TrevorLIVE L.A., the annual event that works to raise awareness of the obstacles that face LGBTQ youth and further the lifesaving work of the Trevor Project, which provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ teens and young adults, took place on Sunday at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles. The event drew a number of LGBTQ activists, actors, musicians, and more who wanted to help further the cause and let LGBTQ youth know their lives matter.
Whether allies sharing the ways LGBTQ people inspire them, stars with advice for teens who are contemplating suicide, or those touting the most important ways we're fighting bulling now and in the future, several people spoke passionately on the event's red carpet and sent the message loud and clear -- lives of LGBTQ youth matter.
Dan Bucatinsky:
(Producer, Who Do You Think You Are)
On the next step in battling bulling of LGBTQ youth:
Regardless of the role models LGBTQ youth have today, on television, in the media, and regardless of all the strides we've made, we have to take it further. We have to not only encourage our youth today but also the generation behind them and the generation ahead of them so LGBTQ youth feel supported in whoever they grow up to be. Our next step always should be about education and opening the lines of communication, which is something the Trevor Project is all about.
Matt McGorry
(Orange Is the New Black, How to Get Away With Murder)
On advice to LGBTQ teens who may be contemplating taking their own life:
There's a lot of love out there waiting for you. More love than you can imagine right now. There's an entire world out there, and you owe it to yourself to at least explore it and give it a shot because once you open your eyes to the way the world is in different parts, you'll find you are very welcome in so many places, even if you don't feel welcome where you are in your life at this moment.
Abbe Land
The Trevor Project's executive director and CEO
On the most important way we can battle bulling of LGBTQ youth:
The most important step we can take, and what the Trevor Project does, is encourage people to talk to us. Whether that's talking or chatting or texting, however talking appears for you, that's the most important thing -- making every way of talking available to youth.
Skylar Kergil
( Transgender artist, musician, and YouTube personality; Youth Innovator Award Recipient)
On the most inspirational advice he'd heard on overcoming bulling:
Someone once told me to think about what bullied my bullies into bullying me and to really open my eyes and think about the fact that they'd probably received some sort of hatred that was coming back to me. That's when I realized it wasn't about me and my existence, it was about someone else needing to let out their anger and frustration. In that way, bullies may not change, but you and your environment will change. That's why staying true to yourself is all that matters.
Phoebe Tonkin
(The Originals)
On how LGBTQ people have inspired her:
I was around a lot of different people when I was a teenager, and the ones that were closest to me inspired me to trust that I should be honest with myself and my family. Of course, that doesn't just apply to people who are working out their sexuality, but in life as well. Being able to be true to yourself is what my [LGBTQ] friends taught me as a young woman at the time who wasn't sure who I was either in any walk of my life.
Paul Wesley
(The Vampire Diaries)
On why he's proud the be an LGBTQ ally:
I have a lot of gay and lesbian fans and I'm inspired by anyone who's willing to stand up and be themselves. That's why I'm passionate about bringing attention to the Trevor Project. I think it's a hotline that every young person should be aware of so that if they or a someone they know is having a hard time, there is a place they know they can reach out to who will support who they are.
Brad Goreski
(Fashion Police)
On the next step in battling bulling of LGBTQ youth:
We need to reinforce the message that no matter who you are or how you identify, you're beautiful. So go full steam ahead into life, because the world is a really big place with so many wonderful things to offer.
Billy Eichner (left):
(Billy on the Street)
On why he's motivated to help end bullying:
I grew up in New York, so even though I was a gay kid who loved musicals and a lot of typically gay things, it was still New York. I went to high school in Manhattan, and one of the advantages of that is it's a very diverse city, so even though I did experience some bullying when I was young, I know what I experienced wasn't nearly what kids in a small town experience. That's why I like to help raise awareness for campaigns like the Trevor Project, because I know I was pretty lucky.
