Dear LGBTQ+ Community: You Are Seen, You Are Valued, You Belong
Beautiful souls,
We want you to know that there is always room at our table for you. Not as guests, not as an afterthought, but as cherished family members whose voices, stories, and brilliance make our world infinitely brighter.
In a time when divisive rhetoric tries to make you feel small, unwelcome, or "other," we stand firmly in this truth: Love is love. You are enough exactly as you are. Your identity is not up for debate, your existence is not political, and your worth is not conditional. This is not performative for the month of June, it’s 365 for eternity.
You Are Not Alone
We know that being part of the LGBTQ+ community can sometimes feel isolating, especially when statistics remind us of the challenges you face. We see these numbers not as mere data points, but as a call to action – a reminder of why allyship and acceptance matter so deeply.
LGBTQ+ young people are more than four times as likely to attempt suicide than their peers, and 39% of LGBTQ+ young people seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year – including 46% of transgender and nonbinary young people. Behind every statistic is a precious human being who deserves love, support, and the chance to thrive.
But here's what gives us hope: research also shows us the transformative power of acceptance and allyship.
The Life-Saving Power of Being Seen
Studies reveal something beautiful and profound: when LGBTQ+ young people have even one accepting adult in their lives, everything changes. LGBTQ youth who report having at least one accepting adult were 40% less likely to report a suicide attempt in the past year.
Let that sink in. Your acceptance – your simple act of seeing someone and saying "you matter exactly as you are" – can literally save lives.
LGBTQ+ young people who felt high social support from their family reported attempting suicide at less than half the rate of those who felt low or moderate social support. Transgender and nonbinary youth who reported having pronouns respected by all the people they lived with attempted suicide at half the rate of those who did not have their pronouns respected.
These aren't just numbers – they're proof that love works. Acceptance works. Allyship saves lives.
We Don't Give Into Divisive Rhetoric
While some voices try to sow division and fear, we choose a different path. We refuse to let anyone make our LGBTQ+ family feel unwelcome or unsafe. We won't be swayed by rhetoric that dehumanizes or diminishes any member of our community.
45% of transgender and nonbinary youth reported that they or their family have considered moving to a different state because of LGBTQ+-related politics and laws. This breaks our hearts. No young person should have to uproot their life simply for being who they are.
We believe in creating spaces where everyone can flourish, where differences are celebrated, not merely tolerated. We believe in policies and practices that protect and affirm LGBTQ+ lives.
The Rainbow of Humanity
Just as a masterpiece requires every color of the rainbow to reach its full beauty, our world needs the full spectrum of human identity and experience. LGBTQ+ voices, perspectives, and contributions don't just add to our community – they're essential to it.
We need your creativity, your resilience, your unique way of seeing the world. We need your stories, your innovations, your love. The tapestry of humanity is incomplete without every thread, every color, every beautiful pattern you bring.
Creating Affirming Spaces Everywhere
The research is clear: LGBTQ youth who had access to spaces that affirmed their sexual orientation and gender identity reported lower rates of attempting suicide. LGBTQ+ young people who reported living in very accepting communities attempted suicide at less than half the rate of those who reported living in very unaccepting communities.
This is why we're committed to making every space we influence – whether that's our workplace, our social circles, our online communities, or our advocacy work – a place where LGBTQ+ people feel truly affirmed and celebrated.
We're working to create a world where:
Pronouns are respected as naturally as names
Gender identity and sexual orientation are celebrated aspects of human diversity
LGBTQ+ youth can see themselves represented in leadership, media, and everyday life
Love in all its beautiful forms is honored and protected
To Our LGBTQ+ Family
You are not broken. Despite what anyone may have told you, there is nothing wrong with who you are or who you love. Your identity is a gift, not a burden.
Your story matters. Every time you live authentically, you give others permission to do the same. Your visibility and courage create space for others to breathe freely.
You deserve love. Not love despite who you are, but love that celebrates exactly who you are. You deserve relationships that affirm your identity, spaces that welcome your whole self, and a community that sees your worth.
You have allies. We may not always be perfect in our allyship, but we're committed to learning, growing, and standing with you. We're here to amplify your voices, not speak over them. We're here to follow your lead, not dictate your path.
To Our Broader Community
Being an ally isn't a one-time declaration – it's an ongoing commitment. It means:
Listening to LGBTQ+ voices and centering their experiences
Learning about the challenges they face and the support they need
Speaking up when you witness discrimination or hate
Showing up consistently, not just during Pride month
Using your privilege to create more inclusive spaces
Respecting names, pronouns, and identities without question
Research suggests that among LGBTQ+ young people, only one-third experience parental acceptance, with an additional one-third experiencing parental rejection. We can do better. We must do better.
Your Future is Bright
To every LGBTQ+ person reading this: your best days are ahead of you. Despite the challenges, despite the statistics, despite the divisive voices trying to make you feel small – you are part of a generation that is changing the world.
You're creating art that moves us, leading movements that inspire us, building families that show us new definitions of love, and proving every single day that authenticity is a superpower.
We see the progress happening. We see minds changing, hearts opening, and policies evolving. We see younger generations growing up with more acceptance and understanding than ever before. We see the rainbow expanding, making room for every beautiful shade of human experience.
Our Promise
We promise to keep fighting for a world where LGBTQ+ young people don't appear in suicide statistics at disproportionate rates. Where acceptance isn't rare but universal. Where love is celebrated in all its forms.
We promise to use our platform, our voices, and our resources to advocate for policies that protect you, spaces that welcome you, and communities that celebrate you.
We promise to keep learning, growing, and showing up as better allies every day.
You Belong Here
This world is better with you in it. Your family needs you. Your community needs you. The future needs you.
You belong at every table, in every space, in every conversation about creating a better world. Not as tokens, not as examples, but as fully realized human beings with voices that matter and contributions that change everything.
We need all the colors of the rainbow to paint this masterpiece of life in all its glory. And we're so grateful that you're part of our beautiful, complex, brilliant human family.
Keep shining. Keep loving. Keep being exactly who you are.
The world needs your light.
With unwavering love and solidarity,
The GRL Initiative
The GRL Initiative believes in a world where every person can love freely, live authentically, and thrive exactly as they are.
