GLBTQ Youth Program
The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning (GLBTQ) Youth program believes that youth leadership is essential to ending the oppression of all people. We support the empowerment and leadership of GLBTQ youth and their allies in undoing oppression to create a more peaceful and just world.
Our focus constituency is gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or questioning youth between the ages of 14-22 and those who work with this population, including school personnel, counselors, foster parents, and faith communities. We emphasize working with youth who are often under-served, disenfranchised and/or experience multiple oppressions: homeless youth, school drop outs, youth of color, low income youth/families.
What’s Happening and How to Get Involved
"It really made me change the way I act when I pass
gay/lesbian people on the street. It makes me think about how I would feel if I
were in their position."
- High school student
The GLBTQ Youth Speakers Bureau brings panels of GLBTQ youth to the broader community to help educate others about their lives. Panels address issues such as homophobia, school bullying and violence, transgender youth, homelessness and other issues of concern to queer youth. Panels can be designed to address specific audiences (e.g., teachers, counselors, elementary school-aged children, homeless youth service providers, etc).
We offer free training for GLBTQ youth two times a year. Through involvement with the Speakers Bureau young people are empowered to be leaders for change. Their efforts have a profound impact in their communities. Youth panelists can earn money while helping to change the world simply by sharing their story. Youth can also get school credit for involvement with the GLBTQ Youth Speakers Bureau.
The GLBTQ Youth Internships
We offer paid year-long youth internships, focusing on empowering youth to take action for social change by becoming leaders in their communities. Interns come away with new peer leadership skills, a connection to the broader GLBTQ community and its history, increased support networks, and valuable job skills and work history. Internships are offered once a year generally in December or January. Priority is given to underserved youth.
For more information on internships contact GLBTQ Program Director, Joyful Freeman, jfreeman@afsc.org.
"I believe that AFSC's LGBT youth panels are by far the
most powerful tool there is for addressing anti-LGBT harassment and violence in
schools."
- Beth Reis, Seattle Public Health Dept.