Need advice

[MzDiz]

I am looking for an organization and I figured this would be the place to ask.

Two days ago, my cousin, one of my dearest childhood companions, killed himself. He could never come to terms with his sexuality and languished in pain for many, many years. Monday night it all came to a head and he drank a large amount of alcohol and took some, as of yet, unidentified pills and died on the floor of his mother's house.

I would like to make a donation, in his honor, to an organization that helps GLBT people to cope with their unique obstacles and thrive as the wonderful individuals that they are. Does anyone know of such a place?

Thank you so much for any ideas or advice you can offer.

 

[Chuck S]

My condolences for your loss.

What a wonderful way to memorialize your cousin's life.

There are several worthy organizations, and many more than I am listing here.

There is

PFLAG (Parents & Friends of Lesbians & Gays)
The Trevor Project (a gay/lesbian hotline for teens)
GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation)
HRC (Human Rights Campaign - a lobbying group for gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender rights)

But my personal suggestion is to contact a local AIDS or gay/lesbian advocate group to see if there are any educational groups for gays & lesbians in your local community or a nearby large city, or if you did not live nearby to your cousin, you may be able to find an organization in his town.

 

[I<3EvilQueen]

You might be able to contact a PFLAG organization near the town he lived and see if there is a Safe House for Gay teens.

*HUGS*

 

[LukenDC]

PFLAG is a great organization. You should also look at Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network (GLSEN) that seeks to end anti-gay bullying and prejudice in schools.

Please accept my condolences on your loss. It is so sad when people cannot be proud of who they are and accepting of differences.

 

[nordkin]

So sorry for your loss.

A wonderful organization to help teens deal with their sexuality is SMYAL. I believe their headquarters is in Washington DC.

 

[singingpixie]

I don't have any suggestions that haven't already been mentioned, but I just wanted to add my condolences. Your family will be in my prayers!

 

[padalyn]

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Like the poster before me, I can't add to the other suggestions, but it sounds like you are trying to help others from his choices. Good luck and keep up the good ideas and work!

 

[odd1]

I'm so sorry.

 

[bubie2.5]

I'm sorry for your loss.
Take a look at The Trevor Project website, it deals with GLBT teens and suicide.

 

[OrlandoMike]

So sorry to hear about your loss.

God Bless you for doing what you are!

You are always welcome here if you need a friend.

 

[TuckandStuiesMom]

Such a tragedy. My heart goes out to you, your family, and to this young man's friends.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

What a terrible tragedy. I am so very sorry. I can only add my voice to those already here in saying that the mentioned groups are all excellent choices.

Please take care and know that we will support you in anyway that we can.

 

[jamieandben]

I'm sorry for your loss.
The only group that i can think of is Timeout youth.

 

[GurGie]

I am so sorry for your loss. I don't have any organizations to add that aren't posted above, but I wanted to express my sympathies.

 

[Boston5602]

I just want to express my sympathies for your loss as well.

 

[MzDiz]

Thank you all so much for your replies, it means a lot. I've been trying to come to terms with this over the past few days and it hasn't been easy.
The hardest thing for us is that we, his family, were always ok with him. We knew he was gay long before he ever uttered a word about it. The family had always been accepting of him, as well as several (yes, several, I have (had) 17 first cousins) other gay cousins.
My stomach is in knots about this. I'm going to miss him so much.