Contact: Sarah Kennedy skennedy@civitaspublicaffairs.com
“STATE OF OUT YOUTH: A TOWN HALL”
HOSTED BY THE NEW YORK TIMES GLBT & ALLIES NETWORK
Leading lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) organizations collaborate
to provide an opportunity to hear from young people
September 13, 2013—The New York Times GLBT & Allies Network teams up with GLSEN, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, The Trevor Project and the True Colors Fund to host “State of Out Youth: A Town Hall,” on October 8 at 7 p.m.
The town hall will begin with an introduction by Michael Golden, Vice Chairman of The New York Times Company and Grammy, Emmy and Tony award winning artist Cyndi Lauper, co-founder of the True Colors Fund. The event will explore today’s most pressing issues for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) young people. The panel will be made up entirely of LGBT and ally young people from across the country, including New York, New Jersey, Virginia, Illinois, and Missouri. The discussion will be moderated by Marcus Mabry, editor at large, The New York Times.
EVENT DETAILS
Date: Tuesday, October 8
Time: 7 – 8:30 p.m.
Location: TheTimesCenter, 242 West 41st Street, New York, N.Y. 10018
RSVP: www.stateofoutyouth.org
““We are proud to facilitate this discussion of issues that may be of interest and frankly affect us all in this day and age.” said Natalie Herron, Co-Chair of Times Out, The New York Times GLBT & Allies Network.”
The event will be live-streamed and downloadable viewing kits will be provided for users, with a targeted focus on youth and student groups, families of LGBT youth, social service providers and educators
For more information, visit www.stateofoutyouth.org.
MORE FROM SPONSORING ORGANIZATIONS
GLSEN Executive Director Dr. Eliza Byard: “While we have seen considerable progress toward equality in the past few years, we cannot lose sight of how much work remains to be done to ensure that LGBT youth are safe and respected in schools, accepted by their families and society, and have an equal opportunity to succeed in life. GLSEN is proud to work with True Colors Fund, The Trevor Project, the Human Rights Campaign and The New York Times to bring together a diverse panel of LGBT youth to share their personal experiences and ensure that youth voices continue to be part of conversations about issues facing the LGBT community.”
Human Rights Campaign President Chad Griffin: “We must send the poignant yet simple message to LGBT youth across the country they are loved just the way they are. We hope that parents, teachers, social workers, healthcare providers, and all adults who care about young people will tune in to this forum and learn how they can become stronger allies to LGBT youth. HRC is proud to be part of this important event that will give LGBT young people a powerful voice.”
The Trevor Project Executive Director & CEO Abbe Land: “Every day at The Trevor Project, we hear from hundreds of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning young people, and every day we learn something new – not just about the risks they face, but about the issues that are important to them and are driving their lives. This forum sheds light on these issues and gives a better understanding of LGBTQ youth today. The Trevor Project is proud to participate in this vital discussion.”
True Colors Fund Co-Founder Cyndi Lauper: “It is important to the True Colors Fund, and all of our partners, that gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender young people have the chance to talk about their lives. They are the experts of their own experiences, and they have a lot to teach us about who they are and what they need. In order for all of us to be successful in helping these young people overcome the multitude of challenges they face, including a significantly higher rate of homelessness, we need to hear and learn from them.”
ABOUT GLSEN
GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network, is the leading national education organization focused on ensuring safe schools for all students. Established in 1990, GLSEN envisions a world in which every child learns to respect and accept all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. GLSEN seeks to develop school climates where difference is valued for the positive contribution it makes to creating a more vibrant and diverse community. For information on GLSEN’s research, educational resources, public policy advocacy, student organizing programs and educator training initiatives, visit www.glsen.org.
ABOUT THE HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN FOUNDATION
The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the educational arm of America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all. For more information, visit www.hrc.org/foundation.
ABOUT THE NEW YORK TIMES GLBT & ALLIES NETWORK
The New York Times GLBT & Allies Network provides a vehicle for conversation about GLBT issues and interests in our lives today. The group sponsors and hosts events that educate and expose our community to those issues of interest.
ABOUT THE TREVOR PROJECT
Founded in 1998 by the creators of the Academy Award®-winning short film TREVOR, The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people ages 13-24. Every day, The Trevor Project saves young lives through its accredited, free and confidential phone, instant message and text messaging crisis intervention services. A leader and innovator in suicide prevention, The Trevor Project offers the largest safe social networking community for LGBTQ youth, best practice suicide prevention educational trainings, resources for youth and adults, and advocacy initiatives. Learn more at www.thetrevorproject.org.
ABOUT THE TRUE COLORS FUND
The True Colors Fund was co-founded by Cyndi Lauper to inspire and engage everyone, especially straight people, to become active participants in the advancement of equality for all and to raise awareness about and bring an end to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth homelessness. For more information, visit www.truecolorsunited.org.
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