Our Why.
the reason why.
In everything you do, there is a reason why. It is time to stand up and work for our reason why.
Six years ago, my brother, Michael, came out to my parents and myself that he was gay, and that was the day my world flipped. It was the day that my eyes opened, that my privilege was put in front of my eyes, the day that I realized that the real world is quite different from my little bubble of sunshine.
To society, it was ‘wrong’ and something to be made fun of for, and every single day, it broke my brother down. He did not feel like he could tell us about this part of his life, meaning he went through the struggle alone.
People of Color and LGBTQ+ people have experienced decades on decades of systemic discrimination and insurmountable hate.
This needs to change, now.
It’s time to make a difference.
Ashlyn Savannah Creative will be donating a portion of proceeds from all sessions + weddings to one of the following organizations working to fight for important social issues: The Trevor Project, Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective, or The Shade Tree of Las Vegas. When you book a photography package with me, you will be able to choose which of these organizations this donation will be sent to.
If you are having trouble picking which of these amazing organizations to donate to, I am happy to help you pick, and, in honor of Michael, send your donation to The Trevor Project.
Below is information about these three different organizations committed to social change.
Some favorite words…
“I watched a girl in a sundress kiss another girl on a park bench, and just as the sunlight spilled perfectly onto both of their hair, I thought to myself: “How bravely beautiful it is, that sometimes, the sea wants the city, even when it has been told its entire life it was meant for the shore.”
– Christopher Poindexter
The Trevor Project
The Trevor Project is the organization most near and dear to my heart, as their goal is to provide LGBTQ+ kids, teens, and young adults crisis intervention and suicide prevention services. I will never pretend to know what it is like growing up identifying as LGBTQ+, but I know that it is not by any means a simple life to live, especially alone as so many do.
So for all of the young humans out there that have come out and been kicked out, that have become family-less, that have been made fun of and bullied through life, and those that start getting thoughts that things are too much— please listen right here.
YOU ARE IMPORTANT. The world needs you.
The Trevor Project currently offers a multitude of services for LGBTQ+ humans under the age of 25, some of which include:
-
The Trevor Lifeline | The only crisis intervention and suicide prevention hotline for LGBTQ+ young people under 25— 1-866-488-7386
-
Trevor Chat | a confidential instant messaging system providing guidance from trained counselors
-
Multiple Suicide Prevention Training Resources
For more information about The Trevor Project and to donate directly, click here!
Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective
BEAM is an organization that is dedicated to the wellness, healing, and liberation of black and marginalized communities. Their mission is as follows:
“BEAM’s mission is to remove the barriers that Black people experience getting access to or staying connected with emotional health care and healing. We do this through healing justice based organizing, education, training, grantmaking and advocacy.”
Black Lives Matter.
Currently in America, being black is a disadvantage. But the Black Lives Matter movement is full of amazing humans working to change that and by supporting organizations, like BEAM, that are committed to systematic change and healing, you are actively working to make this world, and more specifically our country, an equal place for ALL humans.
For more information about BEAM and to donate directly, click here!
The Shade Tree
The Shade Tree is a local organization to Las Vegas that provides safe shelter for women and children in crisis. They also provide services for these women that promote stability and self-reliance.
Domestic Violence is a huge problem, especially in Las Vegas, and finding the courage to leave is only the first step of a long, difficult journey. Homelessness, hunger, doubt, fear… that is just the beginning of the story. But The Shade Tree is working to help these strong women get back on their feet and live their lives without fear.
For more information about The Shade Tree and to donate directly, click here!
