OK, sure the Boy Wizard has more disposable income than most of us…perhaps most of us put together…but I love that Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe made a huge donation to The Trevor Project. The Trevor Project is an incredibly important national outreach and suicide prevention hotline for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth. The statistics are staggering that bear out how hard it is to be a “queer” youth (with all the empowerment and dis-empowerment that word contains). As a role model for youth, adored by the masses, his actions speak as loudly as the check he wrote. There is no such thing as a young life unworthy, less worthy, or honestly, more worthy, than any other. This, oh political leaders, is the real No Child Left Behind program.
“I am very pleased to begin my support of The Trevor Project, which saves lives every day through its critical work,” said Daniel Radcliffe. “It’s extremely distressing to consider that in 2009 suicide is a top three killer of young people, and it’s truly devastating to learn that LGBTQ youth are up to four times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers. I deeply hope my support can raise the organization’s visibility so even more despondent youth become aware of The Trevor Helpline’s highly trained counselors and Trevor’s many other resources. It’s vitally important that young people understand they are not alone and, perhaps even more important, that their young lives have real value.”
He’s embracing diversity, he’s clearing the way for important work to be done, and thereby actually saving lives. He found a way to make a true and immediate difference in the world.
Are you finding yours? You probably have many avenues open to you where your presence and effort can radiate out to affect change. Sign up to volunteer–maybe with kids–maybe with trees or animals or cleaning trash or building windmills. Something’s gotta light you up, and it just gets better when you move into it.
Change by Doing 