Support

Q Chat Space: Connecting LGBTQ+ youth--safely

Q Chat Space provides online discussion groups for LGBTQ+ and questioning teens ages 13 to 19. It is not a forum. It is live and chat based; there is no video or audio. Everyone is chatting during the same pre-scheduled time.

Conversations are facilitated by experienced staff (not mental health professionals) from trusted organizations including the LGBTQ Center of Orange County; Center on Halste, SMYAL; The LGBTQ Center Long Beach; Hetrick-Martin Institute; JASMYN; Time Out Youth; Youth Outlook; and Hugh Lane Wellness Foundation.

Visit qchatspace.org to learn more, and to get the LGBTQ+ youth in your life connected with their peers in a safe and supportive environment. 

Education

Three Steps to Being a Better Ally for the Day of Silence

The Day of Silence, started in 1996, takes place this Friday, April 22nd. Here are some ways to get involved and support others:

1. Learn: Visit the GLSEN website to learn more about the Day of Silence, and consider helping a young person in your life register to take part. Be sure to also check out the Day of Silence Student Zine to hear directly from students themselves and see pieces of their art. Take a look at the PFLAG website to read up on how to make schools safer for LGBTQ students.
2. Watch: Make sure to understand your and your child or teen's rights for taking part in the Day of Silence. Revisit PFLAG Academy Online sessions about mentoring LGBTQ+ youth and advocating for safer schools.
3. Share: Get some shareable graphics from GLSEN, including printable selfie signs, Zoom backgrounds, and QR codes. Use hashtag #DayOfSilence on any posts you make about the day.

Advocacy

Tell Congress to include the transgender community in funding to fight HIV/AIDS

Today is National Transgender HIV Testing Day (NTHTD). PFLAG National is partnering with the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) to elevate the transgender community’s need to be explicitly included and prioritized in funding to fight HIV and AIDS. A newly released CDC report on HIV surveillance shows why trans women of color and all trans, nonbinary, and gender-nonconforming people must be able to self identify in surveys, data collection, and clinical trials for the most culturally adept prevention, treatment, services and research to #StopHIVTogether.

Call your legislators and urge them to support and vote for funding requests for HIV prevention, treatment and services, and to recognize the disproportionate representation of transgender people, especially trans women of color, among the most marginalized populations. Then share these resources on social media using #KnowYourStatus

Something to Talk About...Live!

Friday, April 22 Is GLSEN National Day Of Silence

As states, like Florida, consider “Don’t Say Gay (and lesbian, and bisexual, and trans, and queer)” bills the GLSEN National Day of Silence feels as significant as ever. LGBTQ+ youth need to know that there are supportive allies willing to take part in a student-led action to protest discrimination.

Join us this Thursday, April 21st at 4:30 PM ET / 1:30 PM PT for Something To Talk About Live, where we will be discussing Teresitta Velez’s  article in AAP Voices, “Say Gay – The Lives of LGBTQ Youth Depend on It.” 

You can watch live on Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, or Twitter.

For more information--and to check out our discussion questions in advance--visit pflagnation.al/STTALive-042122.