#general resource

[autism-therapy-chicken]

The result of pure concentrated autism and a desire for a real Data Swallow OS.  Mobile lock screen wallpapers based upon Data Swallow software versions used by the factions in Ace Combat 3.  Sized 1080x1920.

Dropbox: https://www.dropbox.com/s/fkfctbw3qsa1w3w/Data%20Swallow%20Lock%20Screens.zip?dl=0

[healthytoolbox]

[General Resource] Hello, Cruel World by Kate Bornstein

Research has shown that suicide rates among LGBTQ+ youth are significantly higher when compared to the general population. Egale has collected a few statistics such as:

LGBTQ+ youth are 4 times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers.

Adolescents rejected by their families for their LGBTQ+ identity are 8 times more likely to attempt suicide than heterosexual adolescents.

47% of trans youth in Ontario had thought about suicide and 19% had attempted suicide

Statistics such as these highlight the urgency in which suicide among LGBTQ+ youth needs to be addressed.

Subtitled as “101 Alternatives to Suicide for Teens, Freaks and Other Outlaws” this self-help book focused on suicide prevention for young and vulnerable audiences. Written by author, playwright, actor, and gender theorist: Kate Bornstein, there is also a heavy focus on gender identity, expression, and sexual activity. This post will include one of the admin’s thoughts on the book. 

First picking up the book, I thought it was going to be general suicide prevention book with a focus on mental health. The first half of the book focuses on self-affirmation, with a run down on sex and gender theory. It’s written for teenagers, so there’s none of that intimidating university professor writing style. This also makes it approachable and comprehensible for older audiences as well. The second half of the book lists the proposed alternatives for suicide, ranging from ridiculous to practical to outright controversial. These diverse recommendations are not meant to “fix” or “cure” anyone, but instead to help struggling youth survive and find a way to be comfortable with themselves. Throughout the book, it’s undeniable to feel the support coming from Bornstein’s writing.

Emotional Development

As LGBTQ+ youth face many stressors and barriers, ensuring sound mental health can be incredibly challenging. Hormonal shifts that occur during adolescent years can increase emotional reactivity. Alongside the additional social stigmas surrounding their identities, this creates a greater likelihood to develop hopelessness and depression if left unattended. Self-help books such as this one are a way to seek out help and guidance when it feels as if you can’t go to anybody. Building a much-needed support system requires external help and internal self-affirmation, which self-help books are designed to address.

[healthytoolbox]

[General Resource] Sending the Right Message

“Send The Right Message is a campaign of the LGBTQ Youth Initiative. Our goal is to encourage straight and cisgender youth to challenge every day instances of homophobia, biphobia and transphobia. We're here to help them be allies to their LGBTQ friends.”

This website is very streamlined, simple, and easy to comprehend. If you’re ever having trouble explaining something related to the LGBTQ+ community, this website can be very convenient to send to your friends. There are guides and breakdown of concepts, a glossary of vocabulary, and additional readings.

Social Development

Whether you identify as a member of the LGBTQ+ community or not, keeping an open mind to educate yourself is the first step to respecting other people. As gender is a socialized among us, it has a great influence on how individuals interact and treat each other. The site breaks down various forms of discrimination such as transphobia, homophobia, and biphobia. For allies, there are explanations of how your actions and the language you use may build stigmas, what privilege is, how to be a good ally, how to apologise when you’ve made a mistake regarding these things. Challenging these stigmas and learning about the identities of others will create a more welcoming space for all.