Tim Gunn Talks About His Teen Suicide Attempt (VIDEO)

Tim Gunn talks about his suicide attempt when he was a teenager in a video for The Trevor Project, "the leading national organization focused on crisis and suicide prevention efforts among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth," according to its website. Gunn has been vocal about his own homosexuality, writing in his book "Gunn's Golden Rules" that he came to terms with it in his 20s.

In this clip, Tim reveals, "As a 17-year-old youth who was in quite a bit of despair, I attempted to kill myself and I'm very happy today that that attempt was unsuccessful but at the time it's all that I could contemplate." He shares the message, "It gets better, it really does."

WATCH:

Comments

[MelodieSays]

03:15 PM on 10/09/2010

I adore Tim Gunn.
I lived through the first wave of the AIDS epidemic. I lost so many beloved friends... artists, musicians, writers... the cream of the crop.
Life has been incredibly lonely without them.
I cannot imagine a world without gay people. I don't want to live in a world without gay people.

[bintalshamsa]

12:39 PM on 10/09/2010

I love this man. I'm thankful that I was able to grow up in New Orleans, where there was a vibrant mix of people who supported and loved me as I grew into who the Creator meant for me to be. Still, not all of those who were like me survived. I'll never forget the suicide of 2 young gay teens from the church my family belonged to--they had no one to accept them as they were, no one to tell them how beautiful they were and how much the world needs people like them.

[suemj]

09:59 PM on 10/08/2010

I think that Tim Gunn is one of the best parts of "Project Runway", and shutter to think of the show without him! I still think he should have a vote at the end, after the show with Kors, Garcia and Klum!

[JavaManiac]

06:57 PM on 10/08/2010

True Sweetheart!

[mmgbizgirl]

10:54 AM on 10/08/2010

Good dude all around.

[Cherybaby66]

02:25 AM on 10/08/2010

Every young kid who is struggling with their sexuality should have a Tim Gunn type mentor in their life. He is such an amazing human being. He reminds me of that gentle and wonderful teacher that you had in elementary school that you can never forget. His PSA for The Trevor Project is so heartfelt and touching. If you don't know about the Trevor Project, please read about it at thetrevorproject.org

They are doing such important work for GLBT and Questioning teens and I am thrilled that Tim is a part of it.

I am even more thrilled that I now possess his new book Gunn's Golden Rules: Life's Little Lessons For Making it Work. I cannot wait to start devouring it this weekend.

[capsaicin]

06:18 PM on 10/07/2010

Please allow me to be the approximately 17,863rd person in these comments to say, "I love Tim Gunn". What a touching message, that is sure to help people who need it. I'm a bit verklempt after watching that..

[liberal]

02:18 PM on 10/07/2010

I think you are the greatest, I would of given anything to of attended Parson's School of Design and had a mentor like you.

[PelePele10]

11:35 AM on 10/07/2010

Just love Tim Gunn. Period.

[soupcity]

11:00 AM on 10/07/2010

I didn't think it was possible to love Tim Gunn more than I already do, hugs to him and all out there who are who are struggling and in despair.

[Annie VerSteeg]

10:43 AM on 10/07/2010

Thanks Tim, Love you mucho. I will post this to my FB page and help get the word out there. XO

[crossoverwriter]

09:33 AM on 10/07/2010

Love Tim Gunn! What a mensch. Project Runway rocks too.

[versalee]

05:09 AM on 10/07/2010

What a wonderful things Tim has gone by sharing this ... I feel that recently small steps are being taken to emerge from the "Dark Ages" with regard to this subject ... How lucky the world is to have Tim Gunn ~ and others who are doing what they can to break down fears and irrational thought. Another of my "heroes" is Adam Lambert, whose openness and honesty about his life is an inspiration to many young people who have been ostracized (as Adam was) ... I consider him a pioneer of sorts, since he is one of the first openly gay artists in this country to have success in the mainstream. Slowly -very slowly- I feel small changes, and this can ultimately only make us stronger and better people.

[Anna Sibley]

12:42 AM on 10/07/2010

Oh Tim, I love you so.

[VJA]

11:38 PM on 10/06/2010

All of these "It gets better" videos are wonderful and inspirational, but I'd love to see them get more reach. If you know anyone who works in network programming, please suggest that they take the best 10 of these videos and make them into a one-hour special, or maybe even a 2-hour event, with live call-in, and counselors standing by. Heck, all of the networks are canceling their failing one-hour dramas right now anyway, so why not fill the hour with something worthwhile. It could be put together in under a week, and maybe even broadcast simultaneously on dozens of channels.

If you know anyone who could make this happen, please forward this note to them.

[Marcy Clark]

12:55 PM on 10/07/2010

This is a GREAT idea. Maybe they could get musical acts like the Haiti fundraiser as well and make it into a big night to encourage more inclusive representation of Gays and Lesbians on TV and also to remind kids how many people really do care. I'll mention it to a friend of mine at GLAAD.