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July 2018
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Welcome to Youth Pride, Inc.'s July edition of
The Inside Scoop!
The weather has hit record breaking highs, beaches are packed, and
hopefully
summer reading is in progress. Although summer is halfway through, that does not mean the fun needs to end! Various organizations around the state offer fun and inclusive summer day camps, and we would like to highlight some of our favorites!
The Imaginorium Educational Collective is hosting a week long Harry Potter themed wellness program called
Imaginorium Rainbow Wizard Academy.
The program is aimed at LGBTQ youth and runs August 6-10th
.
In addition to receiving a Wizarding School Acceptance Letter and dressing up in costume, youth will attend classes based on Harry Potter books; Potion Class - Affirming Personal Identity, History of Magic - Learning LGBTQ history, Transfiguation - Exploring Gender Identity, and Divination - Creating the Future Through Activism, just to name a few. Check out their website,
here
!
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Not into magic? Then how about music! Girls Rock! is hosting a one week day camp for youth interested in learning to play instruments or start a band. The program runs from August 13-18th, and concludes with independent performances for family and friends to enjoy and see how much the students have learned. Their website can be found
here
!
We encourage everyone to check out Rhode Island Monthly's thorough list of summer camps happening around the state. View the list
here
and begin planning your perfect summer activity!
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YPI Welcomes Summer Staff!
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Youth Pride, Inc. is excited to work with Major Jorge Elorza and the City of Providence to provide youth with meaningful and robust summer employment through the
One Providence For Youth
initiative. The city has partnered with the Department of Parks and Recreation and the Office of Economic Opportunity to offer more than 1,000 paid jobs and internships for youth ages 14-24 around the state.
For the next six weeks, YPI welcomes four new summer youth staff into our space. They will dedicate 20 hours a week assisting with the facilitation of center programs, planning the fall calendar, giving tours, and most notably helping with OUTspoken; YPI's summer leadership program.
Learn more about our summer staff below!
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Save the Date For YPI's Annual Event!
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We hope you will consider joining us for Youth Pride, Inc.'s annual event. Taking place on Sunday, September 23rd from 1:30-3:30pm at the Dunes Club, guests will enjoy light music, open-bar, and o'dourves while overlooking the ocean. In addition, guests will have the opportunity to connect with other supporters of YPI, meet staff and board members, and learn about all the new happenings kicking off in the fall!
YPI's annual event is our largest fundraising effort of the year. All donations will fund our programs and services while helping us continue to do the work that we do to enrich the lives of LGBTQ youth and young adults. For more information, email [email protected]
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Have Your Voice Be Heard; Register To Vote!
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Are you a young person wanting to vote in this year's primary or midterm election? The deadlines to register for the primary and midterm are August 13th and October 9th respectively. Luckily, registering does not need to be complicated. RI Votes makes it simple, check it out below!
Don't think you can physically make it to the polls in November? No problem! Submit a mail in ballot by October 16th and your vote will be counted. The form is linked below.
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OUTspoken Summer Leadership Program Begins
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OUTspoken, Youth Pride, Inc.'s summer leadership program, has begun! Over the next five weeks participants will develop important fundamental leadership skills by learning about their different identities and how they can impact their community with this knowledge.
Current employee and former youth, Jesus Holguin, facilitates OUTspoken with the help of summer staff. The goals for OUTspoken include increasing personal and cultural awareness, expanding one's own knowledge, and encouraging action in the face of injustice. The program highlights what a leader is and how to effectively and respectfully lead others. Icebreakers, community exercises, and supplemental literature and videos all cultivate the necessary skills our youth need to grow into tomorrow's leaders.
If OUTspoken appeals to you, join us for our fall session! Updates about future sessions and application deadlines will be posted on our website and social media platforms towards the end of the summer. Any other inquiries can email [email protected].
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Monthly Spotlight
Julia Barber and Julia Carr
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Youth Pride, Inc. is lucky to have two incredibly talented and selfless volunteer chefs prepare Wednesday Night Dinners for our youth. Each Wednesday evening a hot
community meal is prepared for everyone to eat family style. This tradition is longstanding and one of the most popular programs YPI offers.
Julia Barber (Pictures Right): "I’ve been volunteering for YPI since 2013, and I keep volunteering because it’s the place I wish I’d had when I was young. It’s an honor and a delight to help create that space for any youth who need it today. I love being called Mom! My favorite recipes to try are the family recipes the youth bring in for me to try—I love stepping outside of my comfort zone and trying something new. Outside of Youth Pride, I’m an art historian and museum professional, but YPI is absolutely the highlight of my week, every week."
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Julia Carr (Pictured Left):
"I was having lunch with my dear friend Julia Barber in the fall of 2014. She was regaling me wonderful stories of her Wednesday afternoons cooking meals for the folks at YPI. I had heard about YPI, but had never been involved. I had just recently left a demanding job in the high tech sector, and was looking for some way to be more involved in my community, get out from behind a desk and bring some more meaning into my life. In early 2015 I went down to got my BCI and told Julia Barber I would meet her the next Wednesday to help her cook.
Back in the day, I went to Johnson and Wales, and I have a degree in culinary arts. I have worked in a number of restaurants in Providence. I love cooking. I love eating. I love showing up on Wednesdays to their smiles, hugs and "what's for dinner?".
I was very lucky to have gone to an alternative high school (School One) in Providence. Although there was no GSA or organized queer groups at the time, I was openly queer in high school, and the folks there never bat an eyelash. Everybody was accepted. I was lucky. I would have been even luckier if YPI existed then. I wish I could hang out there every day.
I am currently semi-retired. I sit on the Board of Directors of RI Pride, and work retail at Mister Sister (local queer erotica shop) on Wickenden St. My favorite meal to cook is eggs/omelettes. Inexpensive, versatile, and great source of protein. I love vegetables and try to sneak as many as possible into most dishes I make."
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Benji
He/Him/His/They/Them
In addition to working for YPI over the summer, Benji serves on YPI's Board of Directors as a Youth Member and is a host at Unos. Benji sought out summer work at YPI to expand their knowledge on our organization, equality and diversity, his peers, and himself! In his freetime Benji enjoys hanging out with friends and studying Theater as a future career.
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Tamara
She/Her/Hers
Tamara and her family have been YPI youth for several years. She joined YPI's summer staff to help with event and program planning. In her freetime, Tamara plays music, hangs with friends, and watches her favorites on TV and YouTube! She also currently works for the Providence Community Health Center.
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Tati
Gender Fluid
Tati chose to work for YPI over the summer because they love YPI and are excited for the opportunity "to be able to take care of the space that has taken care of me". Tati thinks this will be a great leadership opportunity and chance to expand their knowledge and experiences within the community. In their free time, Tati spends time with their partner and close friends exploring the depths of Providence! Tati also work closely with the Providence Student Union fighting for better future as their Campaign Organizer. They plan on furthering their education and becoming a Queer representative of Providence.
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Alicia
She/Her/Hers
Alicia has joined the YPI summer staff team to work more closely with YPI; an organization she is both familiar with and appreciate of. In her free time, Alicia enjoys reading comic books and watching Netflix. She is currently a student at the Providence Career and Technical Academy. She hopes to enroll in writing classes in the future to further her education and skills.
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RI Passes Bill to Protect Misgendering on Death Certificates
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As previously covered in the May edition of
The Inside Scoop
,
Representative Edith Ajello's (Democra
t, District 1, Providence) proposed new legislation aimed at protecting trans and non-binary individuals from being misgendered on death certificates. Since it's proposal, the bill has passed in the state's house and senate. On June 28th, 2018 Governor Gina Raimondo signed Rhode Island Senate Bill 2614 into state law.
Senate Bill 2614 states that a death certificate should record the deceased's sex as reflecting their gender identity. This means transwomen and transmen will have their gender identity correspond to their listed sex on death certificates.
In practice, the medical certifier signing the death certificate will record the sex of the patient as reported by the next of kin. In a situation where the next of kin cannot be located, or there is a disagreement among the next of kin in regards to the sex of the individual, the certifier can reference a document the memorializes the deceased's gender transition. Applicable documents include; "written instructions from the decedent; a court order approving a name or gender change; an advance health care directive; documentation of an appropriate course of treatment for the purpose of gender transition; documentation of a change to the gender marker on a birth certificate; or a state or federally issued identification card, or any additional document as authorized by the Rhode Island department of health", as stated in the bill.
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MA Votes to Repeal Transgender Anti-Discriminatory Law
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In July of 2016, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker signed transgender anti-discriminatory Senate Bill 2407 into state law. The legislation allows anyone in the commonwealth to use restrooms and locker rooms that align with their gender identity as opposed to their biological sex. The law prevents discrimination against transmen and transwomen and was implemented October 1st, 2016.
Keep Massachusetts Safe,
a prominent group composed of volunteers and churches, is one of the leading opposers to the legislation. In accordance with the Massachusetts constitution, the group collected 32,375 signatures to repeal the bill. Repealing the legislation will be on the November 6th, 2018 statewide election ballot as "Question 3". Voting "yes" on Question 3 indicates favor in keeping the law intact, voting "no" indicates repealing the law.
A recent poll conducted in May by WBUR, Boston's national public radio news station, found that only 52% of voters opposed the repeal of the law. Many opponents claim the law makes them feel unsafe and that it opens the door for disingenuous individuals to take advantage of others. Some fear sexual predators will claim their gender identity is different from what it actually is as a ploy to enter restrooms and locker rooms to isolate victims. Supporters of the bill testify that no incidents as described above have ever been reported, not in Massachusetts or any other state with transgender anti-discrimination laws. The law also states that individuals fraudulently misusing their gender-identity are susceptible to consequences.
Organizations from both sides are campaigning to get their messages across. With Massachusetts being a longstanding Blue State, a vote to repeal transgender rights would be surprising and detrimental. The result of this election could spur other states to include similar notions on future ballots, with Red States likely voting to limit or repress LGBTQ rights.
Freedom For All
, a Massachusetts coalition composed of various organizations, businesses, and individuals that work towards upholding dignity and respect for all individuals is a leading supporter of the bill and are working hard to campaign and convey their message. Visit their webpage from the button below.
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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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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.
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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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