July 12th 2024.
The Trevor Project, a well-known organization dedicated to preventing LGBTQ suicides and providing crisis intervention, has announced the appointment of its new CEO, Jaymes Black. This is a historic moment as Black, who identifies as nonbinary and uses all pronouns, becomes the first Black and nonbinary leader of The Trevor Project. This appointment comes at a crucial time for LGBTQ youth, especially transgender individuals, who are currently facing unprecedented challenges. Black, as the new CEO, aims to bring attention to the struggles of today's LGBTQ youth, which have been highlighted in recent data from The Trevor Project.
A survey conducted in 2022 by Morning Consult revealed that 86% of trans and nonbinary youth reported negative impacts on their mental health due to the ongoing debates surrounding anti-trans legislation. Additionally, The Trevor Project's 2023 survey found that 41% of LGBTQ young people had seriously considered taking their own lives in the past year. These statistics are alarming and highlight the urgent need for organizations like The Trevor Project to continue their vital work.
According to NBC News, Black's personal journey closely aligns with the mission of The Trevor Project. As a high school student in the 1990s, Black faced isolation after their relationship with a girlfriend became public. This ultimately led to them dropping out of school as they felt they had no support. Reflecting on the current challenges faced by LGBTQ youth, Black shared, "As bad as my story sounds, I can't even begin to imagine what our youth are going through today."
The Trevor Project's new leadership comes at a time when the country is experiencing a surge in anti-LGBTQ legislation. According to the American Civil Liberties Union, as of this month, state lawmakers have introduced 527 bills that target LGBTQ individuals, surpassing last year's total of 510. These bills often aim to restrict the rights of trans students and limit discussions on LGBTQ topics in schools.
Prior to joining The Trevor Project, Black served as the CEO of Family Equality, an organization that advocates for LGBTQ families. Their own personal journey includes overcoming challenges, such as moving to Dallas with their girlfriend when they were 21 and finding a sense of community in the local "gayborhood." They later got married to their wife, Cheralyn, in Canada before same-sex marriage was legalized nationwide in the U.S.
Black's career path has taken them from the corporate world to nonprofit leadership, driven in part by the discrimination they faced as a lesbian couple trying to start a family. In 2014, they adopted twin boys and eventually moved to Washington, D.C., to escape the anti-LGBTQ legislation in Texas. As the new CEO of The Trevor Project, Black is poised to use their experiences and leadership skills to address the pressing needs of LGBTQ youth. Their appointment is a significant step towards promoting inclusivity and advocating for the well-being of LGBTQ individuals.
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