In 2021, The Trevor Project reported that 1.8 million LGBTQ youth between 13 and 24 seriously consider suicide each year and that one young adult attempts suicide every 45 seconds.

That means, right now, a young adult is attempting to take their own life because of how they are being treated by their community for merely being themselves. And that isn't even considering the number of youth whose attempts go unreported. 
(Estimate of How Often LGBTQ Youth Attempt Suicide in the U.S.)

In terms of LGBTQ youth who identify as bisexual, transgender, and/or nonbinary, the numbers are shocking and unfortunately staggering: 

• 48% of bisexual youth seriously considered suicide in 2019 and 27% attempted to take their own lives, compared to 37% and 19% of gay and lesbian youth. For their straight peers, it was 14% and 6%. (Bisexual Youth Experience)
• From a 2020 study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health, the Trevor Project discovered that transgender and nonbinary youth were "2 to 2.5 as likely to experience depressive symptoms, seriously consider suicide, and attempt suicide" than cisgender peers. (Understanding the Mental Health of Transgender and Nonbinary Youth)

People have said that the world, especially the US, has made impressive leaps in progress to not only recognize the LGBTQ community as humans and not people who are infected with some sort of disease or less than their straight and cisgender fellows but to also give them the liberties that they deserved. 

I admit that it is true, but we can do so much more, we are capable of more. 

Look at those numbers and tell me that we have made real progress. 

Mental health issues among LGBTQ youth are getting worse and those numbers are rising. Someone you know, a close friend or family member, could join those statistics if we don't properly address this, especially in schools where GSAs have been established and people are relatively informed on the matter. 

To Waubonsie Valley students and staff, I would suggest that during October or LGBTQ History Month, we show students a presentation or video detailing these issues each week. While I am no longer a part of the Waubonsie GSA, I hope that some members of the alliance see this petition and consider pushing the idea to the student council or Principal Stipp. It isn't much but it supports the GSA's efforts and overall educates others about this topic. 

As one person, I can't do very much. But our community can do it. I know we can. After all, the lives of our schoolmates could be on the line. 

Even if we can't make this idea a reality, simply talking to your LGBTQ classmates can do wonders. Words mean everything and every positive thing that you say could bring them farther away from that edge. 

If you would like to know more about this subject, please click on the links listed above and these organizations dedicated to aiding the LGBTQ community below: 

Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Straight Education Network
The Trevor Project
Campus Pride
Queer Youth Advice for Educators
Teaching LGBTQ Youth
Mental Health Resources for the LGBTQ Community
GLSEN's 2021 National School Climate Survey
Facts About LGBTQ Youth Suicide from the Trevor Project