By Shari Shapiro
Turning my column over, once again, to my colleague Joe Belisle, who runs the Lighthouse LGBTQ teen group at Kids In Crisis. June Pride was a busy and rewarding month at Kids In Crisis. We are grateful for with the support we received toward our mission of building healthy communities where children and families thrive through prevention, counseling, and crisis services available 24-hours every day. In particular, we were thrilled to watch a new community initiative launch and grow, and we have nothing but gratitude and respect for those who made it possible.
As the Coordinator Kids In Crisis LGBTQ youth program, Lighthouse – my heart is very full today as I write this. I want to take this opportunity to give a gigantic shout-out and thank you to Wells Noonan who graciously spent a lot of time and energy on our behalf to have #GreenwichHasPride lawn signs made and displayed on lawns throughout Greenwich. 100% of the proceeds went to our Lighthouse group here at Kids In Crisis!
We asked Greenwich residents to put these signs out during June Pride Month and so many of you purchased one and displayed it with pride. We are so honored and proud to partner with Wells in this initiative that she so cleverly dreamed up. We thank you for your enthusiasm and for recognizing that symbols matter. Every rainbow yard sign is a lifeline to LGBTQ people everywhere. They are an important display of welcome and inclusion.
Many LGBTQ people suffer alone and in silence still in the closet or worse, out of the closet, but still not accepted by family or friends. 42% of LGBTQ youth seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year, including more than half of transgender and non-binary youth. More than 80% of LGBTQ youth stated that COVID-19 made their living situation more stressful — and only 1 in 3 LGBTQ youth found their home to be LGBTQ-affirming.*
Thank you too to everyone that put out a sign on their front yard. We saw them and so did our community’s LGBTQ youth population! Other Fairfield County towns took note of what we were doing and joined in on the effort; hopefully this will only grow in coming years. You all made a difference in the lives of so many LGBTQ youth who make their home right here. Your support means so much to me personally and to the kids that we serve. I’m so proud to call this community home and proud that you understand the importance of the outreach work we do. A million thank you’s!!
*Trevor Project – National LGBTQ Mental Health Survey 2021