Editorial
Guest
Editorial
Make Time for Youth Pride
Gay
people are child molesters and pedophiles.
Being gay is a health risk.
Hearing an openly gay person talk
about their experiences could influence a confused child. Outright Vermont
should be feared.
1989? Nope. 2006. They are comments overheard
at the recent Williston School Board Meeting and at the Windham County
Youth Summit, both places where Outright Vermont’s invitation to
present workshops recently came under fire. Recent events are a reminder
that queer youth need allies. And part of being an ally is being visible.
Queer youth need to know that there
are people out there who will support them, who will talk to them about
being gay without that look in their eye and that tone in their voice.
At Outright we were deeply moved to see how many people were inspired
to write letters in support of Outright and the youth we serve.
Youth Pride is Saturday, May 6th this
year. We invite people of ALL ages to come and be VISIBLE and vocal in
their support of queer youth and Outright Vermont. Up to this point many
of you have written letters and checks, and we are grateful for that support.
But for many youth a letter to the editor does not get them through the
day, a hug from a PFLAG parent at Youth Pride does.
Now in its 7th year, Youth Pride is a full
day of events in downtown Burlington for and about queer youth. Gay/Straight
Alliances, gaggles of queer youth, and their supporters invade the queen
city for a youth speak out, rally, workshops, mini-film festival and the
now legendary queer youth prom. In fact, the speak- out has become THE
largest open and public forum for queer youth to be heard. Come hear what
they have to say!
Outright Vermont remains the only
queer youth organization working toward making schools, communities and
homes safe places for all young people to be themselves. We continue to
speak truth to fear and display love to hate. Come support the next generation
of the queer community on Youth Pride Day, Saturday, May 6th. The rally
starts at 11am at Burlington City Hall and will be followed by the Speak
Out at 12pm. For more details call our office at 802-865 9677 or go online:
www.outrightvt.org
Kate Jerman and Lluvia Mulvaney- Stanak are Co-Executive Directors of
Outright Vermont.