Daniel Radcliffe's Fight Against LGBT Suicide

by Michael Jones · 2010-05-18 06:51:00 UTC
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Daniel RadcliffeFor young people, suicide is vicious. But for young LGBT people, suicide is downright epidemic. The Trevor Project, one of the leading anti-suicide organizations focused on outreach to LGBT youth, notes that suicide is the third leading cause of death among people ages 15-24. And LGBT people within that age range are up to four times more likely to attempt suicide than their straight peers.

That's a fact not lost on Daniel Radcliffe. Sure, he's known in most circles of the world as Harry Potter. But he's also a fierce advocate for LGBT rights, and has increasingly started to use his voice to talk about the perils of suicide for LGBT youth. Since 2009 Radcliffe has focused a good chunk of his time reaching out to young LGBT people, becoming a major donor to The Trevor Project and an active participant in their work.

That participation has taken on a whole new level this week, with the launch of an historic public service announcement reaching out to young LGBT people who may be contemplating suicide.

The ad itself is simple: some background on The Trevor Project, some information on how folks can get in touch with 24-hour counselors if they're having suicidal thoughts, and then a closing money line that Radcliffe hopes will be tucked away in the minds of every young LGBT person.

"Be proud of who you are."

The ad itself ran yesterday exclusively on MTV.com, and is now available for the masses (you can view it below). What makes the ad all that more important is the fact that suicide is a preventable phenomenon. With enough education, with enough compassion, and with enough resources, hearts and minds can change so that no LGBT youth feels rejected to the point where suicide becomes a viable option in their minds. That's the message that Charles Robbins, the Executive Director of The Trevor Project, hopes Radcliffe's ad will send.

"LGBTQ youth suicide is a preventable epidemic," Robbins said. "Because this PSA features Daniel Radcliffe, it has the incredible power to educate communities and spread the word to youth that help is always available and that it is okay to reach out for support."

Yes, it is good to see celebrities use their gravitas for good. Check out the ad below. Simple. Sweet. Short. But potentially life-changing for the thousands upon thousands of LGBT youth who will watch it.

Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons

Michael Jones is a Change.org Editor. He has worked in the field of human rights communications for a decade, most recently for Harvard Law School.
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