Executive Director of the Trevor Project, Charles Robbins, Discusses The “I’m Glad I Failed” Campaign
by Bambi Weavil
Recently, we spoke with the Executive Director of The Trevor Project, Charles Robbins, about their recent advertising campaign, “I’m Glad I Failed”, The Trevor Project and National Suicide Prevention Week, which runs each year from September 7-13th:
Bambi Weavil: How did the “I’m Glad I Failed” campaign come about?
Charles Robbins: We wanted to reach young people at a relatable level, and we believe this campaign does exactly that. It speaks to youth in an understandable yet highly compelling fashion, and encourages them to be accepting and supportive toward one another in order to avoid a tragic loss of life. It also creates awareness about The Trevor Helpline as a resource that LGBTQ youth can turn to when they need someone to listen and understand without judgment. There was a great deal of careful planning surrounding the “I’m Glad I Failed” campaign, including testing the artwork on youth focus groups. We found that young people responded to the campaign and learned something from it, which is extremely important.
BW: What do you feel is the most important mission for people to understand about the ad campaign?
CR: It is most important that LGBTQ youth learn that The Trevor Helpline is a resource they can turn to, and also that we raise the consciousness of broader audiences to the potentially life-shattering consequences of intolerance.
BW: What kind of response are you getting from media concerning your outreach campaign? We at Out Impact are proud to be running the ad for as long as you desire.
CR: Thank you for running the campaign’s advertisement! We truly appreciate your support. Overall, the response to the campaign has been tremendous and we’re both grateful and excited that people do want to help us maximize the exposure of this campaign. Our focus in the media is on youth-oriented and LGBT-focused publications, Web sites and blogs, to receive pro-bono placements of the advertisement as well as editorial exposure. We’ve found that when we ask, more often than not, people do want to help because they understand this is a vital and worthwhile cause.
BW: The timing of the campaign is in direct correlation of National Suicide Prevention week – where do gay youth fall into those numbers? Are statistics able to say where and what age group are the leading numbers?
CR: We know that LGBTQ youth are up to four times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers. In addition, LGBTQ youth who come from a rejecting family are up to nine times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers. Likewise, suicide is one of the top three killers of all young people (ages 15 to 24) and it is the second leading cause of death for college students. These statistics are so disheartening and difficult to hear. We are committed to providing LGBTQ youth with the resources and support they need so that they do not become tragic statistics.
BW: The Trevor Project is extremely active all over the country as the only nationwide, around-the-clock crisis and suicide prevention helpline for LGBTQ youth, what upcoming initiatives are happening this year?
CR: We are looking forward to expanding our outreach and overall visibility in the coming months. This summer, we are launching an in-school workshop program. Trained volunteers from The Trevor Project will use a structured curriculum to address topics around sexuality, gender identity, the impacts of language and behavior and what it means for young people to feel different. The workshop also teaches young people to recognize depression and suicide amongst their peers as well as how to help. We’re also launching TrevorSpace, an online social networking community for LGBTQ youth and their friends and allies this fall. Our largest fundraising event, Cracked Xmas, is coming up on December 7 in Los Angeles. We’re certainly keeping busy with these initiatives in addition to the “I’m Glad I Failed” campaign.
BW: A issue close to our heart is that of LGBTQ youth who are homeless around the country, who have been displaced or had to leave a hostile situation because of their sexuality. Does the Trevor Project work with any homeless shelters to help LGBTQ youth and reach out? We raised money for Sylvia’s Place for instance in New York City, and they are one of five emergency homeless shelters in the country dedicated to helping LGBTQ youth who are homeless and displaced.
CR: This is an issue close to our hearts at The Trevor Project as well. In fact, 20 to 40 percent of youth who become homeless each year identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual. The counselors on The Trevor Helpline have access to our extensive database of resources, including many homeless shelters for LGBTQ youth. Our counselors can refer homeless youth to these shelters and other resources so that they aren’t left wandering the streets with no place to turn to.
BW: What ways can our readers be involved in helping I’m Glad I Failed and The Trevor Project?
CR: We encourage readers to reach out to any personal or professional contacts they might have at youth-oriented and/or LGBTQ-focused publications, Web sites and social networking communities to deploy the campaign’s advertisements. The artwork can be downloaded free of charge at: www.TheTrevorProject.org/ImGladIFailed, and information about the campaign is available at that URL as well. In addition to media outlets and online destinations, we are reaching out to schools and school districts, universities, educational institutions and professional organizations with the campaign’s materials. Readers can help us in these areas as well, and we hope they will! As you know, we hope to gain the most exposure for the campaign during National Suicide Prevention Week, which is September 7 through 13. If anyone wants to become involved with the campaign or learn more about it, I encourage them to contact us at any time.
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Out Impact is your gay online magazine for gay men and women in the LGBTQ community and our allies, encouraging readers to create a positive impact in the gay community. Our content focuses on activism/philanthropy; expert advice for your professional life; pet care by leading experts; a yoga/wellness column in health, spirituality and wellness; as well as columns in food, comics, fashion, an expert travel specialist; engaging features in the arts and more. We have movie, music and book reviews, as well as the latest interviews. Out Impact also produces events benefiting various non-profits around the country, as well as comprehensive media campaigns to raise awareness for various philanthropic causes while bridging the non-profit, activism, artistic and gay communities. OutImpact.com – Making a positive impact in the gay community. Make yours.
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