Within the LGBTQ+ community, mentorship can play a key role in increasing young people’s access to inclusive spaces where they can be who they are without fear of judgement or persecution. At MENTOR, we are committed to creating a movement that serves all young people by connecting them with individuals and communities that are invested in their success and well-being.
In June, as we celebrate Pride Month and elevate stories of joy and connection, we must also not forget how Pride originated. The Stonewall rebellion was a protest led by people of color that sought to defend the LGBTQ+ community from police brutality, a persisting issue that continues to disproportionately affect Black people, people of color, and the LGBTQ+ community. During Pride and beyond, join us in supporting LGBTQ+ youth, rewiring inequitable systems, and standing up against the tragedies and realities of systemic racism, bigotry, and violence.
TAKE ACTION
Amplify LGBTQ+ Pride by sharing your story, raising awareness, and advocating for inclusive legislation.
- Contact your elected officials
- The Equality Act (HR 5) seeks to expand protections against discrimination based on gender identity, sex and sexual orientation and would provide critical legal support to millions of young people across the country. Check out the Human Rights Campaign’s guide to the Equality Act to learn how you drive this legislation forward!
- Schools should be places where students feel welcomed and respected. Passing the Safe Schools Improvement Act (SSIA) would be an important step in protecting students in K-12 schools from being bullied or harassed based on race, religion, ability, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Use GLSEN’s template for emailing your representative in support of SSIA to take action today!
- Raise Awareness
- Raising awareness starts with being informed. Take a moment today to learn about the issues affecting LGBTQ+ youth today.
- Young people deserve to have their identities affirmed and celebrated, not shamed and repressed. That’s why The Trevor Project uses legislation, litigation, and public education to advocate for the rights and futures of LGBTQ+ youth. Get involved!
- Share Your Story
- Post your own mentoring story on social media using #MentoringAmplifies
- Submit your story to the Storytelling Repository
MORE RESOURCES
- Research
- NMRC Research Review: The Impact Of Mentoring On LGBTQI-GNC Youth
- The Trevor Project: 2022 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health
- MENTOR Population Review: Implications for Mentoring LGBTQI-GNC Youth
- Human Rights Campaign: Growing Up LGBT in America
- UCLA’s Williams Institute: Ensuring Access to Mentoring Programs for LGBTQ Youth
- Get Educated
- GLSEN: Pronoun Guide
- National Association of School Psychologists: Gender Inclusive Schools FAQ
- MENTOR Washington Conference: Harnessing Relationships and Supporting LGBTQIA+ Youth Through a Trauma-Informed Lens
- Facilitated by Tovah Fairshot (she/her) and Aytch Denaro (they/them)
- Course: The intersection of disability, gender, and sexuality
- Blog: The Rights of LGBTQ+ Youth and their Families Must Be Protected
- Featured Programs:
- Additional Resources
- Human Rights Campaign: Resources for Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth
- The Trevor Project’s Support Center and Crisis Helpline: 1-800-850-8078
- LGBTQ+ scholarship guide