Hi John,
You may have seen the news today that Congress reintroduced The Equality Act - a monumental civil rights law that would finally protect LGBTQ+ folks from discrimination!
Passing the Equality Act would undo most of the awful policies young people have been fighting this past year - from "Don't Say Gay or Trans" to abhorrent bans on gender-affirming care. But since we know Congress moves slower than slow, what can we do in the meantime? Especially if restrictive policies have already passed?
That's what Thursday's Act Out! training is all about. If your state or school has already passed a restrictive policy, how do you keep going? Well, for decades queer and trans people existed even when their very existence was illegal. So I assure you, it is possible!
But don't listen to me — your trainer tomorrow is Ramish Nadeem! You can read his bio here, but they were an activist with Advocates for Youth for years before he joined our staff. They currently run our Muslim Youth Leadership Council, a group of young Muslims working to promote LGBTQ rights, immigrant rights, and sexual and reproductive health and rights for Muslims. The times we're in are tough, but we have been through it before and we will win again. I know we will because young people are learning how to organize and fight back in programs like Act Out!
When: Thursday @ 5:30 PM Eastern/ 2:30 Pacific
Where: Register on Zoom
Who: Young people ages 14-24
(either LGBTQI+ identified or allies!)
Only two more trainings left in our Pride Month Training Series. Then Act Out! transitions to be a nationwide digital community where young activists are learning together, inspiring each other, and preparing to defend LGBTQ+ classmates and friends from hateful attacks.
Hope to see you there tomorrow.
In solidarity,
Geoff Corey (he/him/his)
Director, Campaigns & Rapid Response
Advocates for Youth
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