As Pride Month gets underway in a highly contentious cultural and political climate, the conversation around LGBTQ+ youth has never been more urgent or more complicated. SKDK Vice President Jacob Long sat down with Kevin Wong, Chief Communications Officer at The Trevor Project, for an honest conversation about what it really means to show up for LGBTQ+ young people, not just in June, but every day of the year.
Here are 4️⃣ key takeaways.
There is an incredible need for support — and the data proves it
The Trevor Project was founded on the devastating observation that there was no suicide or crisis line specifically for LGBTQ+ young people. When their line launched, the phone started ringing, and it hasn’t stopped since.
In his more than eight years at The Trevor Project, Wong has worked to solve for this need by creating sustainable and transformational support for LGBTQ+ youth. Today, The Trevor Project’s crisis services are available 24/7 across the United States, and the organization uses its data not just to respond to individuals in crisis but to shape broader policy conversations.
“We have the data to inform conversations and inform policies,” Wong said. This is a reminder that most durable work is grounded in evidence, along with empathy.
Visibility matters
Organizations that earn trust are the ones doing the work consistently, without waiting for a cultural moment to justify it. Wong spoke directly to how important representation in media is. When LGBTQ+ young people see themselves reflected in the stories being told on screen, in campaigns, and in public conversations, it gives them something to aspire to. It signals that their lives are worth telling stories about, and it is foundational to how young people understand what is possible for themselves.
As Jacob puts it, what matters most is what you are doing when it is not June, and when no one is paying attention.
Mental health is an everyday conversation
The Trevor Project has made a point of moving mental health conversations out of crisis response and into the spaces LGBTQ+ young people already occupy on social media, gaming communities, and other digital sources. “We’re also inserting mental health conversations for LGBTQ+ young people in day-to-day lives,” Wong said.
The goal is to reach young people before they reach a breaking point. When that sustained presence works, the impact is profound. Young people call and say, “The Trevor Project saved my life.” This is what it looks like when support actually lands.
What communicators can learn from this work
Wong’s career trajectory, from Six Flags to iHeartMedia to one of the country’s most mission-driven nonprofit organizations, has shaped a communications philosophy built around authenticity, data, and sustained impact.
For brand communicators, Wong’s message was direct: the opportunity to do meaningful work is already in front of you. LGBTQ+ communities represent significant economic power, and the brands that build authentic, long-term relationships with them will earn something a one-month campaign never could.
The bottom line:
The most important communications work is rarely the loudest. Messages that stay with people are sustained, consistent, and driven by a commitment to reaching people who need support and making them feel seen.
Watch the full video 🔽
Learn more about The Trevor Project and their crisis services at https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help/