Statements from Community Leaders Who Helped Make It Happen
West Hollywood, CA (January 18, 2011) — Today, The Trevor Project, in collaboration with the Human Rights Campaign announced a long-term partnership to operate a crisis and suicide prevention Trevor Lifeline call center along with an HRC Action Center and Store from the site of Harvey Milk's Castro Camera. This exciting new partnership to harness Harvey Milk's legacy at this historic location is thanks in part to the grassroots support of local San Francisco leaders, including Harvey Milk's close friend and campaign manager, Anne Kronenberg. Cleve Jones, Frank M. Robinson, the Academy Award®-winning writer of "Milk" and Trevor Board Member, Dustin Lance Black, and David McFarland, Chair of the Board of The Trevor Project have each made statements in support of this new and exciting endeavor.
CLEVE JONES
"It is wonderful that Harvey's message of hope will again emanate from the site of Castro Camera. He spoke often of our responsibility to our young people and experienced first-hand the pain of losing loved ones to suicide. The next time a frightened gay kid from Altoona - or anywhere - calls out for help, that call will be answered by a Trevor Project volunteer in Harvey's old store. I think he'd approve."
FRANK M. ROBINSON
"I can't think of a better - and more needed - use for the old shop. In growing up, I had two gay friends who committed suicide and I myself had times when I contemplated it. For all those who work with the Trevor Project, my utmost admiration and thanks. I only wish you had existed when I was young, confused, gay and desperately needed somebody to talk to. My heartfelt thanks and admiration for all concerned."
DUSTIN LANCE BLACK
"Harvey Milk often ended his speeches with the story of what drove him: that phone call from Altoona, Pennsylvania from a young person in need of HOPE. To know those calls will once again be answered from inside Harvey's old storefront is incredibly moving, but also vital. I hope that The Trevor Project's sign in the window and call center in back makes it clear to all who make the pilgrimage to Milk's old home that his lifesaving work of giving hope to our hopeless is far from finished, and that all of our efforts must be redoubled."
DAVID MCFARLAND, CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF THE TREVOR PROJECT
"This incredible collaboration with HRC that will offer so much hope to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth nationwide occurred through the grassroots support of many people in the Bay Area. We are thankful to the vocal leadership of people like Dustin Lance Black and Harvey Milk's close friends Cleve Jones, Anne Kronenberg, and author of the Hope speech, Frank M. Robinson. Together, we will reinvigorate Castro Camera as a site for political action and a resource and lifeline for young LGBTQ people.
"It is also not lost on The Trevor Project, as an organization rooted in film, that our newest Lifeline call center is also closely linked to LGBTQ film and filmmaking. In all respects, we are excited to have found a home at Castro Camera."
ABOUT THE TREVOR PROJECT:
The Trevor Project is the leading national organization focused on crisis intervention and suicide prevention efforts among LGBTQ youth. Every day, The Trevor Project saves young lives through its free and confidential lifeline, in-school workshops, educational materials, online resources and advocacy. For more information, visit www.TheTrevorProject.org .
