She sent out a tweet to The Trevor Project, an organization dedicated to helping LGBT youth deal with the bullying and harassment they encounter and address the problem of teen suicide:
The Trevor Project replied:
And also sent this out to their network:
See what happened.
She got a lot of good advice and some grown-up perspective on teenage angst:
Words of wisdom many parents use counsel their teens when they are sure the world is about to end. But gay teens struggle especially because many feel they can't really confide in their parents, or they risk rejection from them as well.
Maybe it's not all about you:
You're probably not as alone as you think:
And you can turn this into an opportunity:
No one can bring you down, unless you let them:
It's hard, but stick with it.
Some of the replies were just simple displays of comfort and affection, always a welcome message when you feel like the world is against you.
She got a lot of love and encouragement on The Trevor Project's Facebook page too, which the Trevor staff directed her to read.
I'm glad these resources networks exist to support these kids now. They certainly didn't when I was Sierra's age. (Trevor was founded in 1998.) It seemed so apropos coming just a day after the National Hockey League unveiled their You Can Play project, aimed at combating homophobia in the sports world.
No one should be made to feel and outsider on their own team. I'm hoping Sierra feels better and encouraged to keep plugging away doing what she loves. I hope she shows them and all gets a softball scholarship to the college of her choice. Living well is the best revenge.
She did reply: