Please read the newsletter below from Advocates for Youth and share the information and resources with your network. I wholeheartedly support this initiative because it is critically important for educators and girl advocates to do our part to make schools and youth-oriented programs safer for all students, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. This initiative is especially timely in light of the recent surge in suicides by teens who were victims of anti-gay bullying.
October 18, 2010
“No matter how many gay friends you have, or gay clubs you frequent, if you refuse to voice your support of the GLBTQ (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning) community, you contribute to the pressure that keeps closet doors closed.” – Sara, age 17, Georgia
Dear Activist,
Happy Ally Week 2010!
To celebrate National Ally week, Advocates for Youth is working with a broad coalition of organizations to support straight allies across the United States and around the world as they “come out” in support of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (GLBTQ) youth.
As an allied organization, Advocates for Youth is deeply committed to empowering a new generation of leaders — both GLBTQ and their straight allies — in the fight to end homophobia and transphobia and create a truly equal society for all people.
This week, we invite you to join us in three important ways:
1) Sign the Ally Pledge created by GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network at www.allyweek.org.
By doing so you demonstrate your belief that “all students, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression deserve to feel safe and supported” and pledge to:
– Not use anti-GLBTQ language or slurs.
– Intervene, if you safely can, in situations where students are being harassed.
– Support efforts to end bullying and harassment.
2) Publicly show your support by changing your Facebook or Twitter status. After all, the fight for equality cannot be the responsibility of GLBTQ people only. We’re all in this together!
Add this as your Facebook status:
“This week I am coming out as an ally to the GLBTQ community because I believe all young people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression, deserve to feel safe and supported.”
3) Make a Video for the Make It Better Project.
Allies: You can make a video that explains why you are an ally and what you have done or plan to do to end GLBTQ bullying.
GLBTQ Youth: You can create a video that explains the importance of having strong allies in your life.
Check out this awesome video of Jason talking about how one ally made a difference in his life.
Thank you for your continuing commitment to GLBTQ equality and for taking a stand to end bullying! For more information on what you can do as an ally, check out our ally page on Amplify.
In Solidarity,
Julia Reticker-Flynn
Youth Activist Network Coordinator
Advocates for Youth
P.S. Make sure to check out YouthResource, a website created by and for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and questioning young people. YouthResource provides a supportive environment where people can share their experiences and ask questions of trained GLBT and ally peer educators.
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, The Trevor Project operates a 24-hour crisis intervention hotline for GLBTQ youth. Call 1-888-488-7386 or visit www.thetrevorproject.org.
Get more info and sign the Ally Pledge: http://allyweek.org/
About Dr. Carla
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