The Inside Scoop
April 2021
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Thank you for reading Youth Pride, Inc.'s April edition of The Inside Scoop! Within you will read about the current RI Trans and Gender Diverse Work Experiences Survey, the collaborative QueerRage project benefiting YPI, the launch date for our newest program Little Unicorns, a new LGBTQ book by an RI author, and more!
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Work Experiences for Trans & Gender Diverse People in RI |
A Rhode Island College social work graduate student is conducting a survey to learn more about the work experiences of trans and gender diverse people in Rhode Island. Many surveys for trans individuals focus on health, so this is an opportunity to gather information on other aspects of trans people’s lives.
There is not a lot of information about this topic, specifically in Rhode Island, so the long-term goal is to use the data from this survey to build a program that can help develop good jobs for trans people in the state.
The survey will only take 10 minutes to complete and your answers will remain anonymous.
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Little Unicorns Launch Date |
The first meeting of Little Unicorns is scheduled to launch the week of April 19th!
Little Unicorns is designed to be a program where LGBTQ+ youth ages 5-9 get to socialize while families connect with each other and receive relevant information, resources, and support.
If you're interested in learning more or signing up your youth, fill out our interest form below!
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Queer Rage is a collaborative project bringing together activism and fashion, all while benefiting YPI!
Seabass Immonen, a junior at Brown and RISD, and eight queer models worked together to created advocacy/activist fashion pieces based around their individual stories and what they are angry about.
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You can check out the full collection, purchase prints, and donate to the fundraiser on their website, QueerRage.net. All proceeds go to YPI! They already reached two fundraising goals, let's see if we can help them hit their next! Their art pieces are so impressive and moving. If you have not seem them, we highly recommend you browse the website! |
YPI loves receiving LGBTQ literature in the mail! Recently, YPI received a copy of Snowy the Snowman: The Many Colors of Love in the mail and we wanted to share it with our community!
Snowy the Snowman is a beautifully illustrated new book by Woonsocket, RI author, Damien L. Lima. In the story, a snowman sets out to find others like him and discovers that love really does come in many form.
This 56 page book can be yours, hardcover or paperback, through Dorrance Publishing Co.
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Racial Equality Resources
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YPI stands with youth of color and are committed to deepening racial equality within our organization and our work. We will provide resources in our newsletter to continually educate, mobilize, and engage our readers in racial justice matters.
International Socialist Alternative (formerly the Committee for a Workers’ International) is a global fighting organization of workers, young people and all those oppressed by capitalism and imperialism. Their YouTube channel's most recent episode talks with Eljeer and Quinn of Socialist Alternative (US) about the rich, revolutionary history of two leaders of the black liberation movement, the preacher MLK and Ida B Wells, who was a civil rights journalist. Their contributions to the struggle are especially important at a time when many people are questioning what is the way forward for an antiracist movement.
Fair Fight is is a national voting rights organization rooted in Georgia leading the charge to protect voting rights! Their website is linked below. Check them out for more information on how to get involved and support their efforts!
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Thank you Messias for hosting this drive on behalf of YPI!
Any questions regarding the drive should be directed to
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Are you really missing drop-in hours? Need someone to talk to? Are you experiencing crisis? Have concerns, fears or mental health needs that you need to express to someone? Here are a couple of resources for you that were compiled by YPI staff. |
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Essential Resources During COVID-19
Other Resources from YPI
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Monthly Spotlight
YPI's Trans and Nonbinary Staff Members!
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March 31st was Transgender Day of Visibility (TDoV), a day to celebrate and acknowledge the lives and accomplishments of transgender people all over the globe. Unlike Transgender Day of Remembrance held annually in November, this is not a day for mourning: this is a day of empowerment! In recognition of TDoV we would like to highlight all of our amazing, hard working, trans and nonbinary staff members! |
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Andy Taubman. they/she, is YPI's Director of Youth Services and LCSW! |
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Lukas Hawthorne. xe/xim, is YPI's Gender Spectrum Group Facilitator! |
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Jesus Holguin, they/elle/he, is one of YPI's awesome Center Coordinators! |
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Dev Devine, they/them, is one of YPI's amazing Center Coordinators!
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Bill H5741; Gender Inclusive Single Stall Restrooms |
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On March 15, 2021 Bill H5741, the Gender Inclusive Restroom Act, was heard by the Rhode Island House. This bill would require all single-stall restrooms in public buildings/place of public accommodations to be gender neutral (accessible to anyone).
Below are some talking points about the bill put together by LGBTQ Action RI.
- Gender inclusive single stall restrooms increase safety and reduce the risk of harassment or violence for trans and non-binary Rhode Islanders
- Gender inclusive single stall restrooms support dignity and respect for transgender and non-binary Rhode Islanders and reduce the worry and anxiety associated with public restrooms.
- Parents with children of a different gender benefit from this bill as they can go into any restroom with any gender child
- Rhode Islanders who require a caregiver of a different gender to assist them in the restroom, due to disability or age, benefit from this bill as they can go into any single stall restroom as well.
- Everyone gets to use the restroom more quickly this way!
Youth Pride, Inc. submitted testimony in favor of the bill and hopes the legislation will swiftly pass. Currently, the bill has been heard by the house and the committee has "recommended measures to be held for future study".
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Mission:
Youth Pride, Inc. is dedicated to meeting the unique needs of youth and young adults impacted by sexual orientation and gender identity/expression while working to end the homophobic and transphobic environments in which they live, work and play.
Values:
LEADERSHIP: YPI is committed to creating the leaders of today. Youth voices drive our process, and we seek to develop the leadership skills necessary both within the organization and outside of it.
AFFIRMATION: YPI believes all youth must be affirmed for who they are and how they express themselves. We are committed to making that a reality in all of the environments in which young people live.
COMMUNITY: YPI believes building strong connections is essential to youth success and empowerment. We strive to create a caring, respectful and diverse community of young people and adults.
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Your tax-deductible donation helps YPI continue to do the important work we do in accordance to our mission. Your gift would be directly investing in our state's LGBTQ youth so that they may have a chance to share their gifts and light with the world. |
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Our Programs and Services |
Youth Pride, Inc. serves over 700 Rhode Island LGBTQ youth and their straight allies a year through a variety of programs and services.
Our Center, located on Westminster Street in Providence, primarily serve as a drop-in and programming space, and is currently open to youth ages 13 to 23 on Tuesday and Wednesday from 3-8pm and Thursday from 3 to 5. Youth ages 9 to thirteen are welcome at our exclusive 13 and under drop-in time on Thursdays from 5-8 pm. All YPI Center services and activities are free to youth. YPI youth get to attend events, workshops, cultural, educational, social, and wellness activities at YPI and around the state.
Our center is home to a Basic Needs Pantry, open to youth in need of food, clothing, toiletries, and school supplies. We offer one on one counseling with in-house clinicians. Our clinicians facilitate and supervise three peer-support groups.
YPI also offers support to those who work with youth through policy and advocacy, and by providing professional development workshops and technical assistance to service providers and educators.
For more information on getting involved with YPI as a volunteer or if you or someone you know is in need of our services, contact [email protected]
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If you have a story you feel should be included in an upcoming newsletter, email [email protected] |
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