Black History Month: Civil Rights Reflection and Movement
As you all know, February is Black History Month. In existence since 1926, beginning as Black History Week, Black History Month is a remembrance of important people and events in African – American history. All around the country people pay homage to those who have fought for justice and the equal treatment of African – Americans. Read More Here!
Affordable housing opportunities for people living with HIV/AIDS and low income families
American political and cultural standards push people into conforming to the ideal of “The American Dream.”
This means having a place of residence, creating a home and community for you (and your family) and being financially stable. All of this sounds acceptable as a standard, for most people, and I’m sure all people want this for themselves. For youth the American dream may seem unattainable at first. With laws put in place like the National Affordable Housing Trust Fund Act of 2007 teens, low income young adults and those living with HIV/AIDS may began to see the American dream as an attainable one for themselves. Read the article here!
You Know Different - Youth HIV Social Marketing Campaign
DO YOU KNOW YOUR HIV STATUS? You probably know that HIV infection can be prevented by practicing safer sex, limiting sexual partners and not sharing needles. But have you ever had an HIV test? Do you know your HIV status? National statistics show that while the overall rate of HIV transmission is falling, it continues to rise among youth ages 13-24. All youth can benefit from knowing their HIV status and modifying their behavior to reduce their risk of infection. However most youth as well as most adults do not know their HIV status. Read more about the campaign
A Deafening Silence: The Case Against Our Schools
Every school has policies that, theoretically, ensure equality, prohibit discrimination, and define the consequences of violating the policy. As many GLBTQ youth face fearful days at school, too many school administrations offer little response and less protection.
Our response? Sometimes silence is louder than words. The Day of Silence, now in its tenth year, is the largest student-led silent protest in history. Read Jessie's feature on the Day of Silence!
Rights. Respect. Responsibility. Condom Campaign
Some people are trying to hide the truth about condoms and their effectiveness from young people. Advocates for Youth believes you deserve the straight facts. While abstinence is the only 100% effective way to avoid sexually transmitted infections (STIs), condoms are the most effective prevention tool we have for sexually active people. But, a lot of people are uncomfortable talking about condoms. Enter Advocates' contest to design a message that will get people talking about condoms. You just might win $500, too!
Day of Silence Project
The Day of Silence was founded in 1996 at the University of Virginia and grew quickly on college and high school campuses over the next several years. Last year, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) and the United States Student Association (USSA) sponsored the Day, which has grown from having about 150 students participate in 1996, to having almost 2,000 schools participate in 2002. GLSEN organized a student leadership team in January of 2002 to help high school students all over the country with planning the day, and working with their administration to get more support.
Coalition Building
This feature is covering Youth Activism and Coalition Building, and is meant to challenge what it means to be active, to work around GLBTQ issues, or to even be gay. Specifically this feature is going to address how sexuality intersects with race, class, gender, and nationality. Through these poems and essays, stemming from the personal to the political, this feature will attempt to show the ways in which our personal identities are intertwined with our political beliefs and our activism
Write to Government Officials and the Media!
Do you have something to say about a current event? Use the YouthResource Action Center to write your Congressional representative, Senator, local or national media, or even the President. Get started now!
Peer Educators
Ask Taryn
If you'd like to talk about being an active ally, creating a safe space, or organizing agay straight alliance (GSA) at your school, and/or youth of color issues, visit Taryn!
Ask Crystallee
If you have questions about community organizing, cross-issue collaboration, and/or religious organizing, visit Crystallee!
Ask Devin
If you'd like to talk about coming out at school, setting up a gay straight alliance, and/or youth of color issues, visit Devin!
Ask E
If you have questions about coming out, dealing with harassment, starting a youth group, or being queer and a person of color E!