Hi John,

I’ve always worked hard to ensure that queer Black and Latino/a/x teens in my community have access to the information and tools we need to protect ourselves from HIV and STIs. When I got to the Advocates for Youth annual retreat, I was so inspired to meet so many people like myself, committed to ensuring young people’s health and rights. I returned to my home city of Philadelphia inspired to jump into these efforts wherever I can. I’ve worked with staff at Advocates to hone my activism and give the most that I can to my communities.

One of the most important things I worked on was Trans Awareness Week and Trans Day of Remembrance. As a campus life programming assistant at my school, I helped organize a showcase of trans students’ artwork and a memorial of the trans people lost to violence this year. This year we saw so many attacks on trans identity, from the rescinding of protections in schools, to rollbacks of protections for trans and gender non-conforming people in health care settings, to a Supreme Court case centered on if it’s OK to fire someone just for being transgender. All that in addition to the transgender folks who died by violence this year.

The fact that people would try to deny someone’s rights because of gender identity is absurd. We’re all people. The marginalization of people who hold these identities is unfair and cruel.

Donate to support youth activists working to ensure trans young people are safe and supported.

This work is also important to me because there’s not a lot of understanding of what it means to be a queer person of color. In my own neighborhood I face discrimination because of my gender identity and how I appear; and when I’m in my college neighborhood I face suspicion from police because of my young and Black identity.

That’s why your donation to Advocates for Youth is so important. It can support activists like me in working in our communities and ushering in change around the country and around the world.

I’m thrilled to work with Advocates for Youth next year. I hope you’ll support us in 2020 and beyond as we advocate for a fair and just society for all. Donate here now.

Sincerely,

Dionte
Youth Activist with Advocates for Youth