Name
Leah
Age
17
Location
Minnesota

Amara-Nycole, Age 20

Email Amara-Nycole

Activism has always played a major part in my life. Throughout my life I have been involved in many causes such as women’s health and various political movements. But I didn’t get fully involved in the youth sexual health and rights movement until I was in college and I noticed all the different groups and organizations I could be a part of. In high school I had always noticed the lack of information and ridiculous myths circulating about things such as homosexuality, sexually transmitted infections, and sex just to name a few. I never stopped seeing groups of people isolated because of their sexual orientation - or just people that wanted to know more about their options to protect themselves but lacked that support because of North Carolina’s abstinence-only education programs. When I came to college, all of the things I saw in high school were just the same and they motivated me to make and be a part of the change I wanted to see. I never wanted to see someone mistreated for their sexual orientation and I know there is a way to reduce the amount of STIs circulating with the right education. Being a part of Advocates for Youth and YouthResource, I just want my generation and those following to be able to be themselves, and fearless, knowing that they can live in the world and be respected. My other important mission would be to help my peers understand their need to protect themselves and know there is information. We as a community have to be proactive, use it and give it to those around us. It is important that we advocate for sexual health and rights for ourselves and the future because if we don’t no one will and there can be no change. My friendships, my peers, and my love for the community motivate me. We have the greatest capacity to change this country and world and I am grateful I can be a part of it.
 

Ernesto, Age 23

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Growing up in Salt Lake City, Utah, I have worked tirelessly for almost a decade as an advocate to Queer, Homeless, and other at risk youth, volunteering for 12 local and national youth serving organizations to create a youth empowerment model of programming. I believe that only when youth are given accurate and complete information can they truly make informed decisions about their lives.

Coming out at the age of 14, I found it increasingly difficult to find a community I could FULLY identify with. As a queer person of color (QPOC) I found myself lacking adult role-models who I could one day aspire to be like. I couldn’t relate to my peers because none of them were Gay or Latino or both. I found myself being forced to choose a single identity. Realizing my full identity has been a process I’ve had to go through, all the while trying to navigate just trying to grow up as a cis-gendered boy.

I am passionate about many social justice issues including, immigration, LGBT rights, Youth/Adult Partnerships, women's rights and youth rights. Most recently I have been working on marriage equality as well as providing comprehensive sex education in all schools. My passions drive my work and my work allows me to make a difference in the life of my peers.

I am here to answer any questions you might have about being a queer youth of color, an activist or an immigrant. Tambien hablo espanol si tienes preguntas que no puedes traducir. I am always happy to answer any question and will do my best to provide you the best answer possible.
 

Ariel, Age 23

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Thinking back to my experience coming out to family and friends, I cannot help but think of the sheer fear and loneliness that I felt during those times. Perhaps it was the helplessness or isolation that I felt during those first few months, the questions or the intrigue I had about all those feelings and emotions inside of me. Whatever it was, I think back at those moments and I cannot help but be extremely interested and highly motivated in helping others overcome those feelings and those moments in life.

For many years of my life, helping youth realize that they are not alone in their life endeavors; helping youth understand their rights and their power within their everyday lives; empowering youth to take charge of their identity; empowering them to become who they are; and empowering youth to ask questions and challenge group mentality and majority opinions, has been my life work.

It has been that personal drive and interest that has lead to where I stand today in life. In my professional life, I work as a Social Recreation Coordinator at Portland’s largest non-profit youth development organization. Our mission is to provide guidance to youth ages 6-18 and instill within each of them a sense of belonging and power and influence over their lives. We work to enable all our members to reach their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens and we instill these potentials in every program and activity we do.

Born in Panama, I was raised in Portland, Oregon where I continue to make my home today. It is here where I continue to advocate for the rights and responsibilities of youth of all ages. My advocacy work, at various governmental, non-governmental, community and advocacy entities has revolved around issues primarily related to youth including but not limited to underage drinking, obesity, and adolescent risky behaviors such as alcohol, tobacco and drug use. Character development, cultural awareness, and fostering and nurturing leadership have also been passions of mine for some years now.

It is my personal belief and my conviction that every child, every young person, if given the right tools in life, can achieve anything they dare to achieve. Empowering youth to reach their full potential, to do what is hard and achieve what is great is my passion.
 

Rikki, Age 21

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Hi! My name is Rikki and I am a Peer Health Educator. I remember how much I needed someone in high school to talk to, but there was no one. On the outside, I was happy and full of smiles. On the inside, I was slowly hardening from all of the negativity around me and all of the hate. I was called gay and faggot every day. I kept on denying it because I thought that being gay was a bad thing. I use to think that if people were harassing me about my perceived sexuality, that to identify as gay must be something horrible and something I needed to eradicate out of me.

When I left high school, I was in desperate need of a community where I could just be myself. All of the bullying I experienced in high school left me not knowing who "me" was. There I was, 18, and the person I should know the best — me — was a stranger.

Only after I started being open and honest with myself was I able to grow and figure out my place. I am here as a Peer Health Educator because I know how lonely it can get. I know what it feels like to not be supported because of who you are. I am here to promote the acceptance of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth. I am here to let the world know that you and I are entitled to a safe and supportive environment to grow and to be apart of a community that loves us. I am here to educate and to change minds and hearts. That may sound a bit corny, but it's true.

Most importantly, I am here to support you, listen to you, and encourage you. I am here to answer your questions, openly and honestly. If you have questions about being young, growing up, figuring out who you are, or what letter you identify with — I am here. If you have questions about healthier sexuality and sexual behaviors, I am here with that information too. If you are struggling with coming out and finding other gay people, I'm here.
 

Lindsay, Age 22

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Passionate about gender and sexuality both in my studies and in my other involvements, I feel strongly about activism and education as a mode of change in communities. I have seen first hand youth’s role in these changes and understand that we are powerful and effective method to create the change we want to see in the world.

In the beginning of 2010 I went on the SoulForce Equality Ride, where I dealt with issues of religion and sexuality in private colleges and universities around the country. While traveling I challenged mine and others’ views on sexuality, gender, race, class and worldviews.

On a more personal level, I have struggled with finding a community that I feel fully comfortable with. Uneasy with terminology and struggling with my feminist politics, I understand why individuals, queer and straight alike, have trouble navigating the LGBT ‘scene’. However, I have not shied away: I feel that there is room to make communities better and you just have to have the strength in yourself to help make that change. All and all, I am passionate about the community, social justice, feminism, the right to comprehensive sex education, LGBTIQ equality and youth rights. I am here to answer any questions you might have about being young and queer. I am also open to general discussions about identity, queer theory and even religion. I will do my best to get you the information you need when you need it.