Stress

Hey everyone, sorry I am writing to you on a Thursday instead of a Wednesday, my week has been super busy. I have a lot going on in my life with trying to finish work at school; I also have a crazy home life right now. My parents just got divorced and there is a lot of stress that comes with it. So the topic today is how to deal with stress. How do you deal with stress? The best ways I deal with stress healthily is by hanging out with good friends, reading, listening to music and watching old TV shows. I have found that reading fiction helps me escape for reality, even if it’s just for a little while. I also have an Ipod with over 600 songs on it. I like getting lost in music; it helps me cope with what is happening around me. I also find having a trusted adult to talk to helpful; I have three in my life right now. So if you’re stressed read a book, listen to music, or talk to an adult that you trust like a youth leader or teacher. Also always remember I am here for you.

I love you so much, even if I don’t know you.

Stephanie

Family

I am blessed to come from a loving and accepting who don’t care about my sexually or the sexually of my friends. My mom and I actually attend PFLAG together. PFLAG stand for Parents, Friends of Lesbians and Gays. The group is for parents, friends and LGBT individuals to go, met other people and find support. My mom and I just started to attend the meetings for the Chapter of PFLAG that is starting up in my town. I understand not everyone has caring, accepting parents. I have a friend who parents are not accepting at all, and he is struggling with that, his self-esteem is lower than it should be and so is his aspirations in life sometimes. This is caused by his parents who do not accept him at all and are mean to him about his sexual orientation. The Family Acceptance Project did a study on family acceptance and rejection. There study found that LGBT youth from high rejecting families are more than 8 times as likely to attempt suicide. Nearly 6 times as likely to report high levels of depression. More than 3 times as likely to use illegal drugs and more than 3 times as likely to be at high risk for HIV and STDs. If you’re from a high rejecting family, remember you are not alone, there are people out there are struggling with some of the same issues, there is also people who do care about you and love you. I will always be here every Wednesday for you. There is also the Trevor Project which is a crisis and suicide prevention lifeline for LGBT youth. Please call it if you every need someone to talk to or your feeling alone. The number is 866-488-7386. Please you are never alone! You are loved.

Love Stephanie

Leadership

Leadership…..

Can anyone be a leader?

I believe anyone can be a leader if they put their mind to it. I became a youth leader for an LGBT youth group three years ago. I work every week planning meetings and events for youth in the community. I have had the opportunity to meet many amazing youth and adults trying to make safe and thriving spaces for LGBT youth. I also became a leader at school, starting an anti-slur movement and the schools GSA. Being a leader is easy to do; the first step to becoming a leader is to find an passion you would like to get more involved in. Than find an organization that matches that passion, and run with every opportunity that comes your way. Volunteering is a great way to build leadership skills. Yesterday I received a Youth Leadership award for all my hard work, it was a great feeling being recognized, but I don’t do all this youth work for the LGBT community for attention or praise, I do it because I love working with youth, and helping people in need.

Remember I am always here for you. You are never alone.

Peace and Love

Stephanie