Press & Media

YES Institute is available to serve as a resource for journalists and media seeking knowledge related to gender and orientation topics. Contact us at  [email protected] for further information.

Our Vision & Mission 

The vision of YES Institute is a community in which all youth are free of suicide, violence, and discrimination. The mission of YES Institute is to prevent suicide and ensure the healthy development of all youth through powerful communication and education on gender and orientation.

Statistics 

  • Among South Florida high school youth, the suicide attempt rate is 5% for youth who identify as heterosexual and 24% for youth who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or are unsure of their orientation. Source: CDC Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2021. 
  • National surveys show that 45% of LGBTQ youth seriously considered suicide in the past year including more than half of transgender and nonbinary youth. (Source: Trevor Project 2022 Survey). https://www.thetrevorproject.org/survey-2022/

Bullying Behavior Statistics

  • 81% of Florida high school and 62% of Florida middle school students report hearing verbal slurs (‘faggot’, ‘dyke’, ‘That’s so gay,’) on a daily or weekly basis. 
  • 34% of Florida middle and high school students report using anti-gay or gender-related words or jokes to tease others on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. 
  • 27% of Florida middle and high students report witnessing anti-gay or gender-related physical harassment or bullying on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. Source: McEwing, E., Zolobczuk, J.M., Huynh, K.D., Gonzalez, A.A., Lee, D.L. (2018). Incidences of school-based anti-gay and gender-related bullying: Differences across levels of education. Florida Public Health Review, 15, 25-35.
    https://digitalcommons.unf.edu/fphr/vol15/iss1/3/ 

Our Focus 

YES Institute utilizes powerful communication through dialogue and education to raise awareness and target the root causes of stigma and rejection. YES Institute boldly asks, “What message or communication is having young people feel they don’t belong, and are not loved?What could be different in our schools, families, and faith communities so youth never turn to self-harm in the first place?” 

Available on virtual platforms and in-person, our bilingual English/Spanish education team is sought out as guest speakers and consultants for leading school districts, workplaces, mental health and medical providers, and many other community partners who serve youth and families. 

For more information about YES Institute, please visit Who We Are and 25 Years of Service.

Disclaimer 

YES Institute is a nonpartisan, nondenominational educational nonprofit intended for everyone, inclusive of diverse beliefs, cultures, abilities, viewpoints, and backgrounds.

Given that the foundation of our work is opening conversations on gender and orientation, sometimes the assumption is made that YES Institute is an “LGBTQ” organization. It is inaccurate to describe YES Institute as an LGBTQ organization or an advocacy group. 

Further Media Inquiries 

Contact us at 305-663-7195 or email. 

Logo for Media Use 

NOTICE: Before using the YES Institute logo or images, you must obtain written usage consent by YES Institute staff. If creating a promo flyer or social media graphic to share about a collaborative event with YES Institute, please have staff approve your flyer or graphic before posting to the general public.