Helping LGBT Youth Live a Safe and Open

Life

An author and television professional, Charles Perez has written a book about his
personal experience as a gay man as well as articles for the Huffington Post in
regard to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights. Understanding the
challenges that come with being LGBT, Charles Perez founded The NoShame
Project website to help LGBT youth establish an open and proud life.

According to the Human Rights Campaign survey titled Growing Up LGBT in
America, of the 10,000 LGBT youths polled, 42 percent reported that their
communities are not tolerant or accepting of individuals who are lesbian, gay,
bisexual, or transgender. This has led to a quarter of LGBT youth fearing how their
families will react and the possibility of being bullied in and out of school. While
most accept that these fears will subside down the road, it is still reported that
LGBT youth are twice as likely to be assaulted as their peers who are
heterosexual.

To alleviate these concerns and promote safety for LGBT youth, the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that parents remain open with
their children, so they can easily identify problems, such as abuse and depression
as they arise. Additionally, the CDC encourages schools to provide support by
implementing clear policies and activities to prevent violence. Support groups,
like gay-straight alliances, offer a safe place for children to study, learn, and
interact without fear.