Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Cason Crane: Climbing For LGBTQ youths!


We sat down (not quite literally) before his lil trip here to Singapore and shared snippets of his life & motivations before this Friday's event.

Introduce Cason Crane in ONE sentence.
My name is Cason Crane and I'm a 20-year-old adventurer, mountain climber, and LGBTQ rights activist who is currently raising awareness for suicide prevention in the LGBTQ community by climbing the highest mountain on each continent.  
 
What were your motivations behind starting 'Rainbow Summits'?
I wanted to use my personal initiative to climb the "Seven Summits" as a platform to raise awareness for issues facing LGBTQ youth. I was personally passionate about the issue of suicide prevention in the LGBTQ community, and so I recognized this opportunity to try to give back while also pursuing a lifelong dream of mine. 

Climbing & scaling mountains ain't easy and not to mention dangerous. What got you started?
I got started mountain climbing when I was 15. My mother and I decided to pursue a fun challenge, and so we went and climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa. Honestly, the moment I reached the summit of Kili, I was hooked. Something about the combination of an individual challenge, the beauty of the outdoors, and the internal reflection you get from being off the grid make mountain climbing a personal passion for me. I haven't looked back since! 

What made you decide to raise money for 'The Trevor Project'?
I was motivated to raise money and awareness for The Trevor Project by the tragic death of a good friend of mine, and of Tyler Clementi, who was a gay student at Rutgers, a university in my home state of New Jersey. After Charlotte and Tyler's deaths, I knew that I needed to try to make a difference on this issue, and The Trevor Project was (and is) the only organization providing comprehensive suicide prevention and crisis intervention services to LGBTQ youth in the United States. 
  
Have you encountered any obstacles thus far?
I have encountered many obstacles...far too many to recount here. One of the things that make mountaineering such a compelling sport is that it requires more than just physical exertion. There is that, obviously, but it is also hugely mental, and requires a lot of preparation, planning, and logistics. Basically, that means you've got to be on your toes all the time and that you're faced with all sorts of difference challenges, even at times when you don't expect them.


What's your greatest challenge yet?
I would say that the most significant challenge I have faced so far was my period of internal reflection after I was unable to summit Denali (Mt. McKinley, the highest mountain in North America), last summer due to weather conditions. I had hoped that it would be my fourth of the Seven Summits, and I had to ask myself a lot of tough questions after I didn't make the top. "Could I complete my challenge?" "Do I have the mental and physical strength to keep going?" "What would this mean for my project and my fundraising?" were just a few of the many questions floating around in my head. In the end, I realized that even though I hadn't summited Denali -- even if I never was able to -- it would mean a lot more for me to keep going despite that setback because in reality it doesn't matter where on the mountain you end up as long as you know you've given it your all and tried your best. 

What have you taken away from it so far?
I've taken away so many things...I mean to think of how much I've learned in the past year about the world, mountain climbing, public speaking, fundraising...it really runs the gamut. I would say my top take-away from the project is that I have learned that anyone and everyone can and SHOULD be an activist for some issue that they are passionate about. I am passionate about LGBTQ issues, and I am trying to do what I can to make positive change happen by contributing my unique interests and talents. If we all do this, the world will be a much better and happier planet.  

What are you looking forward to here in Singapore?
I'm most looking forward to meeting and connecting with other young LGBTQ people in Singapore and talking about how they can climb their own "Everest," be it literal or metaphorical! 


Event Note: Cason will be sharing his story this Friday, 29th Mar 2013, 3pm @ YOH's 'Climb Every Mountain' event. Sign up now at http://tinyurl.com/rainbowsummits

Monday, March 25, 2013

YOH Presents: Climb Every Mountain! - Sign Up

YOH Presents: Climb Every Mountain!


Am I The Only One?



Uniquely, you are the only one. However, there are others like you on this small island of our's, but where can you find them?

If you want to explore such questions with other like-minded LGBTQ youths in a safe & inclusive environment, sign up for YOH's support group programme!
(Open to LGBTQ youths from the ages of 16 to 22)

Join us now at http://tinyurl.com/joinyoh

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

How Do I Tell Them?



Whether it's coming out to your family, friends, loved ones, bunkmates or even online, is there a safe way to do so? 

If you want to explore such questions with other like-minded LGBTQ youths in a safe & inclusive environment, sign up for YOH's support group programme
(Open to LGBTQ youths from the ages of 16 to 22)

Join us now at
 http://tinyurl.com/joinyoh

Friday, March 15, 2013

Is It A Choice?




Some say "you're born this way", 
Others say "you're a lifestyle", 
What do you think? 

If you want to explore such questions with other like-minded LGBTQ youths in a safe & inclusive environment, sign up for YOH's support group programme
(Open to LGBTQ youths from the ages of 16 to 22)

Join us now at http://tinyurl.com/joinyoh