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NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Contact: Curtison Badonie, 505-243-9199 or [email protected]
Native LGBTQ2S+ Youth to Strategize and Advocate for Support from Tribal Communities
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - September 17, 2019 - The Coalition to Stop Violence Against
Native Women [[link removed]]
(CSVANW) will host the Southwest Butterflies Retreat from September 20th to 21st,
2019 at TEEN'M Power Albuquerque, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, for Native Lesbian,
Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Two-Spirit, plus (LGBTQ2S+) Youth. The purpose
of the event is to strategize and advocate for support from Tribal communities to
join the movement to end violence against Native LGBTQ2S+ community through positive
value-based and community-led education.

"We have been holding this event for our Indigenous LGBTQ2S+ youth for the last
two years so we can advocate for social change for all our relatives," says Keioshiah
Peter, CSVANW Native Youth Coordinator. "All of our young people deserve to feel
safe and to be safe no matter how they identify. We hope to provide a space for
our Indigenous LGBTQ2S+ youth feel supported and reenergized at the retreat."

Native youth who identified as LGBTQ are at a heightened risk of experiencing violence,
in some instances because families, peers, or communities may not understand or
accept their identity. According to the Health and Well-Being of Lesbian, Gay, and
Bisexual Youth in New Mexico [[link removed]]
report, 50 percent of New Mexico Native LGBTQ students reported experiencing physical
violence at school, 18 percent were three times likely to be forced to have sex
or experienced physical dating violence, and one in three reported missing class
at least once a month because of bullying.

"It is our hope we create a friendly space for our LGBTQ2S+ youth to be themselves
and to have fun," Peter says.

The Southwest Butterflies Retreat aims to provide an engaging opportunity for addressing
the issues Indigenous LGBTQ2S+ youth face in their communities. Workshops this year
are focused on reproductive justice, LGBTQ health, safer sex, and Native Drag.

"During the [Southwest Butterflies Retreat], I learned that there are not enough
people shedding light on the violence against Native LGBTQ2S+ youth. I also learned
that more and more individuals are brave enough to tackle social issues in our community
and it is empowering," says a previous participant of the 2018 Southwest Butterflies
Retreat.

The Southwest Butterflies Retreat is made possible through generous foundations,
community partnerships and sponsorship through the Department of Justice (DOJ),
Native American in Philanthropy, and individual donations.

For more information on the Southwest Butterflies Retreat, CLICK HERE [[link removed]].
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About the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women
CSVANW is a member-driven tribal coalition that represents the broadest and most
unified voice in advocating and collectively addressing violence against Native
women and children across the region.
An alliance of more than 50 passionate, distinguished and highly committed organizations
and individuals, the CSVANW team of staff, Board ofDirectors and committed membership
works aggressively to raise awareness about the safety of Native women and children
at the state, tribal and federal levels, in addition to providing the utmost critical
lifeline services to those affected by violence. CSVANW provides training, advocate
support, and technical assistance for tribes and law enforcement seeking help in
working with tribes. The Coalition also offers policy advocacy on behalf of tribes.
For more information about the CSVANW, go to www.csvanw.org. [[link removed]]
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Coalition to Stop VIolence Against Native Women | 4600 Montgomery Blvd NE Ste 202B | Albuquerque | NM | 87109