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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Miriam Yeung, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center, NY, 208 West 13th Street, New York, NY 10011, 212-620-7310, miriam@gaycenter.org
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and "questioning" (LGBTQ) youth face all the challenges of adolescence, but they often don't get the information, social opportunities, emotional supports or guidance they need to meet those challenges; to withstand the effects of prejudice, discrimination and oppression; and to develop into healthy adults. In fact, many young people face violence and rejection from the people and the institutions they rely on for nurturing. The Youth Enrichment Services Program is an activities-based alcohol and drug abuse, and HIV prevention program for LGBTQ youth between the ages of 13-21. Since its founding in 1988, Y.E.S. has offered free creative arts workshops, support groups, short-term counseling, peer-based programming, and positive social alternatives to hundreds of young people considered to be at high risk. The guiding principle behind all of Y.E.S.' programming and services is youth empowerment: focusing on the strengths, expertise, and hope of young people, and providing them with opportunities for leadership, skills development, and self-expression within the context of a supportive community. Current advocacy includes a media literacy project which offers tools for young people to become a critical audience, a "School Initiatives" program which seeks to reduce violence, harassment and discrimination in learning environments, and an on-line community intervention website. This presentation will highlight some of the key challenges that face LGBTQ young people, and will explore creative methods used to empower at-risk and questioning youth to exercise their rights.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, the participant will be able to
Keywords: Adolescents, Gay
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.