by Jared Todd •
The American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists, the National Association of School Psychologists and the American Federation of Teachers are among the partner organizations supporting LGBTQ+ youth in the midst of legislative attacks across the country.
WASHINGTON - Today, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Project THRIVE and 19 partner organizations dedicated to youth well-being released a new video message marking Pride Month and recommitting to the multi-year national campaign’s mission of supporting LGBTQ+ youth. Project THRIVE is a collaborative effort across professions, supported by leaders from the nation's largest health, education, child welfare, legal and juvenile justice organizations, aimed at consolidating work to address with singular focus the persistent challenges and barriers that not only prevent LGBTQ+ young people from thriving, but continue to compromise their health and safety.
As organizations dedicated to the wellbeing of children and youth, we want to reaffirm our commitment to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) youth. Across the country this year, renewed attacks on LGBTQ+ youth have chiseled away at their sense of safety, and their hope for the future. To be blunt, it is a tough time for LGBTQ+ youth—especially transgender, non-binary, and BIPOC youth. We want all LGBTQ+ youth to know that we will always be in solidarity with you, and that we will continue to push for inclusive policies, and will work to defeat anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and other efforts to censor, shut out, or make invisible the reality of your identities and your experiences.
We take pride in being a part of HRC’s Project THRIVE initiative, and believe in the power of our collective voices to change the landscape for LGBTQ+ youth. We want a world in which LGBTQ+ youth can freely express who they are without fear of rejection or harm, and where being out and authentic is a daily reality for all, not just some youth. This Pride month, we recommit ourselves to the mission of Project THRIVE and to be clearly in the corner of LGBTQ+ youth during these challenging times.”
This message comes at a time in which LGBTQ+ youth are being singled out in an onslaught of anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and legislation from those attempting to censor the very existence and history of LGBTQ+ people. This year, we’ve seen more than 300 anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced in states across the country. Many of these discriminatory bills target transgender kids, including dozens upon dozens of bills that try to ban trans kids from playing sports or receiving life-saving health care. This is why it is crucial that our youth know we are by their side in protecting their rights and their safety.
Participants in the video message include:
American Counseling Association (ACA)
American School Counselors Association (ASCA)
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists (ACAAP)
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
American Federation of Teachers (AFT)
American Association of School Librarians (AASL)
Boost Collaborative
Child Welfare League of America (CWLA)
Council of Administrators of Special Education (CASE)
FIRST
National Parent Teacher Association (NPTA)
National Association for College Admissions Counseling (NACAC)
National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)
National Education Association (NEA)
National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP)
National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
National Association of School Nursing (NASN)
Society of Pediatric Nursing (SPN)
School Social Workers Association (SSWA)
Each Project THRIVE partner organization is committed to identifying opportunities within their own sphere of influence to increase awareness about and provide resources to address the unmet needs of LGBTQ+ youth, and to highlight best practices and success stories from their respective professional fields.
Actively promoting well-being for LGBTQ+ youth within all youth-serving professions (e.g. education, child welfare, juvenile justice, health care, homelessness).
Providing all youth-serving professionals with the tools, resources and training they need to support and affirm LGBTQ+ youth, in particular LGBTQ+ youth of color and youth who have a history of system involvement.
Increasing the proportion of LGBTQ+ youth experiencing permanent, supportive connections with caring adults and family networks.
Reducing the significant disparities in mental and physical health outcomes among LGBTQ+ youth.
Improving school safety and inclusion so LGBTQ+ students can succeed and thrive academically and socially.
The Human Rights Campaign reports on news, events and resources of the Human Rights Campaign Foundation that are of interest to the general public and further our common mission to support the LGBTQ+ community.
To make a general inquiry, please visit our contact page. Members of the media can reach our press office at: (202) 572-8968 or email press@hrc.org.
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