What if young people could see themselves as whole and complete just the way they are?
The impact YES Institute’s presentation had on me was to hear that the best thing for minors to do to confront the issues of today is to simply keep existing. – High School Student
The Trevor Project recently reported that in 2022, “45% of LGBTQ youth seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year. Nearly 1 in 5 transgender and nonbinary youth attempted suicide and LGBTQ youth of color reported higher rates than their white peers.” When YES Institute was founded in 1996, statistics reported that 1 in 3 LGBTQ youth considered self-harm if they were rejected based on their orientation. The latest data from the Trevor Project revealed that: “LGBTQ youth who live in a community that is accepting of LGBTQ people reported significantly lower rates of attempting suicide than those who do not. And that 60% of LGBTQ youth who wanted mental health care in the past year were not able to get it; and LGBTQ youth who found their school to be LGBTQ-affirming reported lower rates of attempting suicide.”
YES Institute was invited to speak to two high school Gay Straight Alliances / Gender & Sexuality Alliances (GSA). Students opened up about their anxiety, depression, lack of well-being, and overall fears. One of the non-binary students shared that they already don’t feel safe using the restrooms and are worried about the current political landscape worsening that experience. Both student groups began the conversation with worry and expressed their own mental health declining due to legislation.
After they were heard, we could begin the presentation.
One of our facilitators, Ayari, asked students to read through daily affirmations and declare them out loud for themselves. These statements included “I am enough. I am worthy. My life matters.” Students noted a positive difference immediately in their sense of self, sitting up taller, and reflecting on their own self-talk. From there, the presentation took a deep dive into the past and students learned about transgender, nonbinary, gay, lesbian, bisexual, and queer folks of various cultures that existed and some that were celebrated.
When a historical lens was provided, youth were able to shift the context from adversity to resilience and walked away with joy!
Our Youth Empowerment Coordinator, Nikolas, informed the students about the first drag queen, William Dorsey Swann. In 1860 Swann was the first person known to identify as a “Queen of Drag,” was formerly an enslaved African, and created spaces of joy and celebration. During the GSA presentations, Ayari asked the students, “if William Dorsey Swann could simply exist in self-expression of joy, why couldn’t we?” Swann was living in a time before the Stonewall Riots, before the Civil Rights Movement, and continued to live their life as an expression of their full authentic self.
High school students are invited to continue to develop their leadership skills and shift their context through our Youth Advisory Leadership Council (YALC). YALC provides young people the opportunity to grow and enhance their leadership and communication skills. This is a program for youth (ages 13-21) to interact with others who share similar experiences, and to support and hold one another accountable. The program is managed by YES Institute staff, and empowers and develops youth who want to become leaders and make a difference in their community.
“I learned that we have more power than we think we do.”
“I learned about the Stonewall Protests and I learned about how much power I have.”
“I learned that many people are supporting the LGBTQ teens and that despite social fear I can be safe about my coming future. The YES institute left a positive impact on what I can expect for my future as a non-binary person.”
“I’ve learned to do more!”
“I learned a lot of new statistics and about other’s experiences that were similar to my own, history, pronouns, and respect.”
“It provided an emotionally safe environment for me to express topics about my identity.”
“Appreciating queer joy!”
“That we can all be who we are proudly.”
YES Institute congratulates two active leaders in our YALC program for graduating high school this spring and going to college this fall. Liana will be attending the University of Miami and majoring in elementary education. Rachel will be heading off to Canada to attend McGill University to major in sustainability, science, and society with a minor in international development. We are proud of their dedication to community, leadership and for being global change agents for their generation.
As one of our high school participants shared in their post-survey feedback from about the impact of YES Institute’s presentation:
“There is more good than bad in this world, especially in our generation. It’s just our job to find it and express the goodness.”
You can read more here about this program, and young people can apply to become a member!