The Inside Scoop
February 2021
|
|
Thank you for reading Youth Pride, Inc.'s February edition of The Inside Scoop! Within you will read out our upcoming quarterly GSA meetings, What's Love Got To Do With It variety show benefiting YPI, a new zine about nonbinary experiences, news on lifting the transgenders military ban, and more!
|
|
 |
The pandemic has made connecting with Gender and Sexuality Alliances (GSA) around the state more difficult than ever. Last spring, we had to make the difficult decision to cancel our annual GSA Conference due to COVID and we've since been eagerly awaiting for another opportunity to connect with GSAs.
To establish long-term and consistent relationships with GSAs during these times of social distancing, Youth Pride is inviting student members and advisors to join us for quarterly GSA meetings beginning in March!
If you are interested in learning more or signing up, please fill out our interest form linked below. We will reach out to everyone who fills out this form in a few weeks with a definite date and time for our first meeting!
|
Last month, hidden among the numerous bills and notices we receive in the mail each day, was a copy of Self Portrait: A Nonbinary Person's Reflection on Identity.
An anonymous nonbinary college student mailed us a copy of the zine; a collection of poems and personal essays exploring their journey of coming out to one's own self and the people around them.
We would love to share their work with you here, as the entire zine is available online!
|
|
|
|
What's Love Got To Do With It |
Looking for different ways to celebrate Valentine's Day this year? How about spending the evening watching performances while supporting Youth Pride and Dorcas International?
This Sunday, 2/14 at 7:30pm on Zoom, What's Love Got To Do With It will be live! This variety show will present drag performances, dance, flow and movement art, and more! The event is free to watch, but there will be an opportunity for you to donate to YPI and Dorcus International.
|
Pre-Made Pantry Bags Still Available! |
In addition to our virtual programs, individual counseling, and case management, youth can also access our Basic Needs Pantry for food, clothes, toiletries, and school supplies!
We have premade bags available for pick-up at our space on Westminster St. in Providence. Each bag is stocked with at least one type of grain (pasta, rice, etc.), two canned vegetables, one canned beans, two canned soups, and a few miscellaneous nonperishable food items. Toiletries and clothing can be chosen when submitting the Basic Needs Pantry Form.
Youth up to the age of 23 are eligible to receive a bag. Anyone in the household can pick up the bag.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Racial Equality Resources
|
|
|
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.
Abolitionist Teaching Network have put together several resources to acknowledge, celebrate, and teach about Black history. The link below will take you to some of their upcoming events, including Black Homeschooling: An Abolitionist Approach, Black Futures & Black Joy, and their newest series Wisdom Fridays.
Black Lives Matter at School is a national coalition organizing for racial justice in education. They also host an annual week of action during the first week of February each year. Below is a link to one of their resource pages; 13 Guiding Principles. Check out the site and get familiar with the principals that guide the BLM movement.
Racial Equity Tools is a resource website designed to support individuals and groups working to achieve racial equity. The site offers more than 600 different tools, research, tips, curricula, and ideas for people who want to increase their understanding and to help those working for racial justice at every level – in systems, organizations, communities, and the culture at large. Almost all of the resources are free and easily accessible. Here is a very short list of only some of the topics you will find on their site; Decolonization Theory and Practice; History of Racism and Movements; Networks, Alliances, and Coalitions; Conflict Transformation and Restorative Justice; Addressing Hate and White Supremacy; Multicultural Competency.
|
|
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. |
|
Essential Resources During COVID-19
Other Resources from YPI
|
|
Monthly Spotlight
AIDS Project Rhode Island's At-Home HIV Testing Program
|
|
Our allies at AIDS Project Rhode Island (APRI) just announced the expansion of their free at-home HIV testing program through partnership with the RI Department of Health. At the start of the pandemic, APRI began this program to negate the need for in-person testing and the possible spreading of COVID-19. The program has been very successful and further evolved.
Rhode Island resident that qualify will receive an OraSure HIV testing kit, safer sex supplies, and other information in plain USPS packaging. The kit can be mailed or picked up. After obtaining the kit, testing counselors will be available to answer questions; guide people through the test; make referrals for PrEP, STI screening, immunizations; and more via text, phone, or video conferencing.
APRI has also resumed limited in-person HIV and Hep C testing by appointment only. Folks can leave a make an appointment by leaving a message at 401-831-5522.
|
|
Biden Lifts Ban on Transgender Individuals Serving in the Military |
|
It's been just over two years since the Trump Administration's ban on transgender individuals serving in the military went into effect. Trump introduced the idea for the ban in July 2017 when he posted on Twitter that transgender individuals will cause the military "tremendous medical costs and disruption". The ban bared individuals diagnosed with gender dysphoria from serving or enlisting in the military. If individuals did not have gender dysphoria they could still serve, but only in according to their sex assigned at birth.
On January 25, 2021 President Biden lifted the ban on transgender individuals from serving in the military. He states that this decision will enable all qualified Americans to serve their country in uniform. Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary, also stated that "no one will be separated or discharged from the military or denied reenlistment on the basis of gender identity, and for those transgender service members who were discharged or separated because of gender identity, their cases will be reexamined".
|
|
|
|
First Openly Gay Person Confirmed to a Cabinet in American History |
|
On February 3, 2021 Pete Buttigieg was sworn in as Transportation Secretary under the Biden Administration. Buttigieg is the first openly gay person to be confirmed to a Cabinet post in American history; with the Senate backing him with a 86-13 vote. Buttigieg was worn in using a Bible belonging to his mother and held by his husband, Chasten Buttigieg.
The 2020 presidential candidate and former mayor of South Bend, Indiana states, "I’m honored to serve as Secretary of Transportation and help build the kind of infrastructure that creates jobs, empowers all, and keeps travelers & workers safe".
|
|
|
|
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.
|
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. |
|
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]
|
|
|
|
If you have a story you feel should be included in an upcoming newsletter, email [email protected] |
|
|
|
|
|
|
